Celebrate Roy Schoonover’s Contributions to Bicycling, The Loop  at Nov. 22 Trailhead Dedication

Monday, November 4th, 2013

Roy Schoonover has made Pima County a better place for everyone by working for decades to improve it for bicyclists.

In gratitude, the Pima County Board of Supervisors, especially District 4 Supervisor Ray Carroll; and Pima County Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation, Regional Flood Control District, and Department of Transportation Bicycle and Pedestrian Program invite the public to the dedication of the Roy Schoonover Trailhead on Friday, Nov. 22.

The dedication will be at 10 a.m. at the trailhead along the Julian Wash Greenway segment of The Loop, immediately east of Kolb Road and north of Interstate 10. Refreshments and two celebratory bike rides will take place after the dedication.

The trailhead is also along a stretch of Kolb Road bike paths between Valencia Road and the Voyager RV Resort, where Schoonover lives, that the Pima County Board of Supervisors designated as the “Roy Schoonover Bikeway” in 2010.

Larry Robinson, former head of the Facilities Subcommittee of the Tucson-Pima County Bicycle Advisory Committee, called Schoonover “one of bicycling’s best advocates” in his request that the trailhead be named for him.

Schoonover, 84, who retired from IBM in 1986, has represented bicyclists on numerous committees and at countless meetings with the Bicycle Advisory Committee, Regional Transportation Authority, Pima Association of Governments, and Pima County Bond Advisory Committee.

“Roy, the recognized bike expert by the highest levels of the government agencies, continually communicates our bicycling interests to agencies and solicits their support,” Robinson wrote. “He is frequently invited by these agencies for his advice on matters. In addition, Roy’s access to, and respect from, all of the top government officials is unparalleled.”

Schoonover was “instrumental in securing over $8.4 million in Regional Transportation Authority bicycle and pedestrian funds for District 4” and “in bringing The Loop to fruition,” Robinson wrote.

“In part because of his involvement and persistent vigilance, the project has gone from 35% in 2006 to a projected 80% completion in 2012.”

Pima County is developing The Loop around metro Tucson with links to Marana, Oro Valley, and South Tucson for residents and visitors on foot, bikes, skates, and horses.

When completed, The Loop will total 131 miles and connect the Rillito, Santa Cruz, and Pantano River Parks with the Julian Wash and Harrison Greenways. The Loop connects to parks, trails, bus and bike routes, workplaces, schools, libraries, restaurants, hotels and motels, shopping areas, and sports and entertainment venues.

For more information and the latest maps and news about The Loop, go to www.pima.gov/TheLoop.