Re: the April 15 article "Commercial horseback rides damaging OV trail, hikers say"
I was disheartened and disappointed by the one-sided article which recently appeared in the Star. Sorry that a small group of disgruntled hikers are unwilling to embrace our Western heritage and want to take away the opportunity for both locals and visitors to experience a deep rooted part of what the Old Pueblo is all about.
With regard to their complaints about manure, the Hilton dispatches a crew twice a week to clean the trails. (Three to four times a week is under consideration.) First hand, I have seen water bottles and food wrappers left behind by hikers which is much worse for the environment than some recycled biodegradable grass. Not only is this part of Tucson's rich cultural experience, but it brings tourists from across the country (and from around the world) which in turn boosts the local economy. It is a sad day when a handful of unhappy hikers want to take all this away from us.
Renee Montrachet
Oro Valley
