Payson embraces its AZT Gateway Community identity
By Michele Nelson
Payson Roundup
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The Arizona Trail crosses 19 communities, but only seven will have a four-panel kiosk installed celebrating the trail and the town.
Due to connections, Payson will be one of the lucky kiosk communities.
“A resident, Trevor Creighton, told the town about this project. Trevor then contacted the mayor as well,” said Interim Parks and Recreation Director JP de la Montagne at the council’s June 28 meeting.
When the council understood what Creighton, president of the Rim Country Mountain Biking Association, proposed — that the kiosk was a gift from the Arizona Trail Association through a grant by the Arizona Office of Tourism to Payson – it didn’t take long for the council to accept the gift unanimously.
De la Montagne explained the town decided to install the four-panel trail information kiosk at Green Valley Park, as most hikers who come off the AZT enter Payson from Doll Baby Ranch Road and Main Street.
