Rio Salado Stadium Connector
Mesa, Arizona
The Mesa Rio Salado-Stadium Connector has filled a critical 3.5-mile gap in the Valley’s network of shared-use paths along the Salt River, Cross-Cut Canal, and neighborhoods. Mesa is now connected to destinations in Tempe, Scottsdale, and Phoenix; as well as providing non-motorized access to the unique destinations of Sloan Park, Wrigley Ville, Mesa Riverview, and Hohokam Stadium. The design incorporated bio-swale water harvesting landscape islands in the street segments to allow stormwater to provide supplemental irrigation to desert-adapted plants. Plants introduced along the Rio Salado segment were all native plants indicative of a Sonoran Desert riparian corridor. The project celebrates the adjacent Salt River and its unique riparian habitat; expressed through custom safety rails, way finding, retaining walls, and color palette and plant material. The real benefit to the region beyond the project itself is the innovation that led to its fruition. Working together the project partners have set a standard for capturing the potential for a unified corridor, proving that there is always an opportunity to think of old projects with a new mental framework utilizing creativity and innovation to provide true value to residents.