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With the rapid pace of development in Flagstaff, we must protect the few natural spaces we have left. Through the years, Schultz Meadow has been widely enjoyed in its current, natural, and undeveloped state. It’s an iconic piece of Flagstaff, worthy of protection for current Flagstaff citizens and for generations to come. Because the land is owned by the City, we have the opportunity to protect it.

The special characteristics of Schultz Meadow have been recognized by the Flagstaff Open Spaces Commission, which unanimously voted in 2017 that the land has open-space value. In fact, Schultz Meadow has more open-space attributes than any other piece of land previously considered by the Open Spaces Commission!  

The Commission found that the Meadow provides a buffer as an iconic gateway into Flagstaff, it has significant scenic value, and it has recreation value given the nearby FUTS (Flagstaff Urban Trails System) trail alignment that forms the eastern boundary of the property. The Meadow also provides connectivity to the nearby FUTS, has possible ecological value, and might contain archeological features from the Beale Wagon Trail. 

Schultz Meadow is a wildlife corridor - one of the few or only such corridors remaining in the Schultz Pass area. The Meadow is also home to a colony of prairie dogs, which overlaps onto the adjacent ranch.  Ferruginous hawks and mountain plovers circle over the Meadow, and the flowers that bloom provide valuable habitat for pollinators. 

The City of Flagstaff has owned this land for over 12 years and during that time has allowed the Meadow to remain in its natural state. But recently, the City has proposed building on the Meadow. 

The land’s current Medium-Density zoning allows for building heights of 35 feet - the height of the electric poles at the back of the property.  

Because of massive public outcry, the City has agreed to hold off on development to allow for a citizens ballot initiative wherein Flagstaff voters will vote whether to protect the Meadow as legally designated open space. Once designated as “open space,” the land will be protected from development of any type.