The Bureau of Land Management will begin construction work on a new recreation area in the East Valley in February.
The Goldfield Recreation Area is located near Apache Junction, a popular destination for bikers, hikers, campers and horseback riders. It is also close to Lost Dutchman State Park, Goldfield Ghost Town and busy trailheads.
The agency has received a lot of feedback on the project, from public comments that led the agency to change its plans for an equestrian area to questions about unhoused people camping there.
"But we did receive input from the public, asking to make it a non-motorized recreation area. And basically the difference would be that it would allow mountain bikes in that area as well. So, it would be a non-motorized area, for equestrian, pedestrian and mountain bikes," said Chris Wonderly with the BLM.
On Feb. 5, the BLM will begin construction, and close more than 1,000 acres for the next two years.
