Arroyo Chico--Lost Barrio

Arroyo Chico--Lost Barrio

Tucson, AZ 85719

Official Website
Arroyo Chico and Lost Barrio walk

About this Location

The Arroyo Chico/Tucson Arroyo and its tributaries — High School Wash, Railroad Wash, Citation Wash, Paseo Grande Wash, and Naylor Wash — drain an area of 11.4 square miles located in central and downtown Tucson. These ephemeral watercourses drain a watershed that is fully developed and contains a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial areas. A segment of the lower watershed main channel is conveyed through an underground two-barrel, 10 feet wide by 8 feet high concrete box culvert for approximately 1.7 miles that were originally constructed in the 1920s. Segments of the lower watershed storm drain have recently been reconstructed as part of the City of Tucson’s 8th Street Drainage Improvements and the 4th Avenue Streetcar projects. The City of Tucson is currently planning to further enlarge and reconstruct the Tucson Arroyo storm drain system as part of the Downtown Links Project.

Notable Trails

1. You’ll find the Lost Barrio off Park Avenue and Broadway. (If you get to Euclid Avenue, coming from the east, you’ve gone too far.) Park near Tooley’s Cafe. Tooley’s, 299 S. Park Ave., is a breakfast and lunch oasis, perfect for a post- or pre-walk treat.

2. Head east on 13th Street to the Arroyo Chico multi-use path. You’ll find it at the end of the street. Head south on the path. You’ll come to a piece of public art called “High Ground” by John Davis and a plot of grass for kids, pups, or picnics. The retention basins are full of wildflowers and wildlife right now after the rains and we saw at least five species of butterflies on our walk.

3. Cross Highland Avenue and continue on the path. You’ll see — and perhaps hear — the goats at the Highland Free School across the street.

4. Continue on the path until you reach Cherry Field. Walk up Cherry Avenue to 13th Street and walk west through the Miles Neighborhood until you reach the path again. Take the loop back to your starting point and explore the antiques and local art shops in the Lost Barrio.

Content from Official Website and Arroyo Chico and Lost Barrio walk