The safety of Loop users, along with the need for more shade to combat Tucson’s extreme heat, access to drinking water, restrooms, better protocols for addressing homeless encampments, signage and possible regulation of electric bicycles, were among the main topics discussed during the June 9 meeting of the Pima County Board of Supervisors.
The conversation stemmed from the results of a survey conducted by Pima County among Loop users. The Chuck Huckelberry Loop is the 137-mile recreational trail that surrounds much of the Tucson metro area.
Participants indicated that their primary concerns are related to safety and comfort while using the space for walking, running, biking or walking their pets, as the county moves forward with developing a Loop Improvement Plan as part of the One Pima initiative.
Although the survey identified safety as one of the top priorities among Loop users, some supervisors raised questions during the discussion about how trail rules are currently enforced and the role the Tucson Police Department plays in responding to incidents and enforcing regulations.
“Adding more safety measures throughout the trail is very necessary. I encourage this board to consider ways to collaborate with regional public safety agencies. Even a bicycle patrol could be an option to consider in the future,” District 5 Supervisor Andrés Cano said.
Concerns about safety on the Loop are not new. In a memo dated Aug. 22, 2024, Pima County Administrator Jan Lesher noted that the recreational trail had been the site of homeless encampments, vandalism and, on occasion, harassment incidents and other crimes.
Nearly two years after Pima County launched a private security patrol service along the The Chuck Huckelberry Loop, more than 40% of Loop users still do not feel safe, according to the survey.
“Currently, we are relying on the Tucson Police Department. I would encourage the administration to develop a proposal and improvement plan that could eventually be presented to voters through a bond measure in order to address the immediate need for action,” Cano said.
Revisiting some of the key findings from the survey, Sarah Davis, senior advisor in the Pima County Administrator’s Office, addressed Loop users’ concerns before the Board of Supervisors and outlined several actions already underway to improve safety and maintenance along the recreational corridor.
Among them are cleanup operations, the creation of new maps and digital tools, improvements to Geographic Information System (GIS) resources, and the exploration of a mobile application for Loop users.
“The priorities are already underway, including cleanup efforts that removed thousands of pounds of trash,” Davis said.
Davis also noted that the county is developing protocols to respond to unauthorized encampments and collect data that could help identify areas where infrastructure improvements or stronger rule enforcement may be needed.
As part of the recommendations presented to the Board of Supervisors, the county proposes moving forward with a Loop Improvement Plan that builds on previously studied projects, dedicating resources to promote new informational tools and presenting a framework aligned with the One Pima initiative before the end of 2026.
“We have explored previous projects that were designed to address high-priority areas,” Davis said.
What you need to know
The Loop is used by approximately 20,000 people each month.
The survey is part of the implementation of the One Pima initiative, approved by the Pima County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 18, 2025.
One of the five priority areas of One Pima focuses specifically on safety, cleanliness and maintenance along the Loop, including the removal of unauthorized encampments.
The county is developing a Loop Improvement Plan in collaboration with the Regional Flood Control District and the Parks and Recreation Department.
The survey sought users’ opinions on:
- Safety.
- Improvement opportunities.
- Maintenance.
- Priority actions for the future of the Loop.
The survey was open from Feb. 26 to April 30, 2026.
A total of 1,988 people participated:
- 1,972 completed the English-language survey.
- 16 completed the Spanish-language survey.
The goal was to obtain responses from approximately 10% of Loop users, or about 2,000 people.
Top requested improvements
- More shade (43.4%) — the most selected option.
- More safety features (41.6%).
- More water stations (40.9%).
- Better signage and wayfinding (38.9%), including maps, mile markers and directional signs.
Most popular activities
- Cycling: 82%
- Walking: 58%
- Running: 23%
- Walking pets: 20%
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