When Bob Sharpe looked at 3,000 acres of Arizona farmland in the early 1990s, he imagined more than homes. He saw trails connecting neighborhoods, parks that gave people reasons to gather and shared places that could become part of everyday life.
Today, approximately 25,000 people call Rancho Sahuarita home. They walk the trails, gather at neighborhood parks, spend time around Sahuarita Lake and create traditions of their own in places that began as part of Bob Sharpe’s original vision.
At the heart of that vision was a simple idea: thoughtfully plan a community around the people who would eventually call it home.
Fast Facts
- Bob Sharpe founded Rancho Sahuarita in the early 1990s on 3,000 acres in Sahuarita, Arizona
- Today, Rancho Sahuarita includes more than 7,000 homes and approximately 25,000 residents
- More than 15 resident parks offer places to play, gather, relax and spend time outside
- More than 25 miles of pedestrian trails connect neighborhoods with parks, schools and other destinations
- More than 350 events, programs and fitness classes take place throughout the year
- Sahuarita Lake spans 10 acres and has become one of Rancho Sahuarita’s most recognizable gathering places
- Entrada Del Toro is the newest neighborhood in the master plan, located in Rancho Sahuarita’s southernmost region
Who Founded Rancho Sahuarita, and What Was the Original Vision?
Bob Sharpe founded Rancho Sahuarita in the early 1990s with a vision for a thoughtfully planned community built around connection, shared spaces and everyday life.
After acquiring 3,000 acres of farmland in Sahuarita, Arizona, Sharpe began shaping what would become Rancho Sahuarita. The Town of Sahuarita incorporated soon after, and both began growing alongside one another.
The plan considered more than where homes would go. Parks, trails, schools, recreation and gathering places all had a role, giving residents more ways to get outside, spend time together and cross paths in the course of a normal day.
Today, that original vision is easy to see throughout Rancho Sahuarita. Mature trees line the trails, parks give neighbors places to gather and more than 25 miles of paths connect neighborhoods with schools, recreation and other destinations throughout the community.
Bob Sharpe’s phrase, “today is a good day,” has stayed with Rancho Sahuarita, too. You’ll still find it on hats, stickers and signs throughout the community, a simple piece of our history that residents have made their own.
What Is Sahuarita Lake, and Why Does It Anchor the Community?
Sahuarita Lake spans 10 acres within a 15-acre park, creating a central place for Rancho Sahuarita residents to walk, gather and spend time outside.
The lake has become part of the daily rhythm here. Walkers and runners circle the water in the morning. Families spend afternoons nearby. Community events fill the park on busier days, while quieter evenings bring residents out for one more walk before heading home.
Over time, those ordinary visits become familiar routines. You start recognizing the people you pass on the path. A favorite bench or stretch of trail becomes a regular stop. Families return to the same places and find their own ways to enjoy them.
Sahuarita Lake also connects to Rancho Sahuarita’s larger network of more than 25 miles of parks and trails, linking neighborhoods with schools, parks and other destinations throughout the community.
How Has Rancho Sahuarita Changed Over the Past 25 Years?
Rancho Sahuarita has evolved from its original 3,000-acre vision into a community with established neighborhoods, recreation, trails, events and amenities woven into everyday life.
Some of the biggest changes are easy to see. Sahuarita Lake opened in the early years of the community. New parks and miles of trails expanded opportunities to get outside. Club Rancho Sahuarita created a central place for recreation, fitness and community programs. And as new neighborhoods were added, so were more places for residents to gather and connect.
The community calendar grew, too. Today, more than 350 events, programs and fitness classes take place each year, from regular activities residents can make part of their week to larger events that have become Rancho Sahuarita traditions.
More recently, Entrada Del Toro has brought new homes to the southernmost region of Rancho Sahuarita, with Club Del Toro set to add another place for recreation and connection. Both reflect the same approach that shaped the original plan: continue growing while creating places and experiences residents can enjoy close to home.
What Parks and Trails Does Rancho Sahuarita Offer?
Rancho Sahuarita offers more than 15 resident parks and more than 25 miles of pedestrian trails, giving residents places to move, play and spend time together.
The trail network connects neighborhoods with schools, parks, Sahuarita Lake and other destinations throughout Rancho Sahuarita. On any given day, that might mean a morning walk, an afternoon bike ride or a familiar route to somewhere nearby.
The parks bring their own rhythm to daily life. Kids head to the playground. Families settle in for an afternoon outside. Neighbors stop to talk instead of simply passing one another by.
More than 350 events, programs and fitness classes each year add more ways to take part in community life. A fitness class can become part of the weekly routine, while a favorite event can become a tradition residents look forward to each year.
What Is Entrada Del Toro, and How Does It Fit the Original Vision?
Entrada Del Toro is Rancho Sahuarita’s newest neighborhood, bringing new homes, recreation and opportunities to connect to the community’s southernmost region.
Entrada Del Toro carries the same focus on thoughtful planning found throughout Rancho Sahuarita. Trails connect the neighborhood with the larger community, while parks, recreation, events and amenities give residents plenty of ways to enjoy life beyond their front door.
Club Del Toro will bring more of those experiences close to home, with a pool, splash pad, fitness spaces, pickleball courts, a playground and gathering areas planned within Entrada Del Toro. Once open, Club Del Toro will serve residents from across Rancho Sahuarita, adding another shared place within the larger community.
Beyond the neighborhood, residents can connect with more of Rancho Sahuarita through the trail network or head to the Marketplace for shopping, dining and everyday errands.
Entrada Del Toro adds something new while carrying forward a familiar idea. We thoughtfully create places and opportunities for connection, and residents make those places their own.
More Than 25 Years In, Rancho Sahuarita Keeps Moving Forward
Rancho Sahuarita started with a vision for a community where thoughtful planning could make everyday life better. Today, that vision includes thousands of homes, miles of trails, neighborhood parks, recreation, community traditions and, most importantly, the people who enjoy them every day.
See what life here looks like today. Schedule a tour and spend some time getting to know Rancho Sahuarita.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded Rancho Sahuarita and when?
Bob Sharpe founded Rancho Sahuarita in the early 1990s after acquiring 3,000 acres of farmland in Sahuarita, Arizona. His vision extended beyond building homes to creating a thoughtfully planned community centered on connection and everyday life.
How large is Sahuarita Lake?
Sahuarita Lake spans 10 acres within a 15-acre park. Today, residents use the lake and surrounding park for walks, outdoor time, community events and other everyday activities.
How many homes and residents does Rancho Sahuarita have today?
Rancho Sahuarita includes more than 7,000 homes and approximately 25,000 residents.
What parks and trails does Rancho Sahuarita have?
Rancho Sahuarita offers more than 15 resident parks and more than 25 miles of pedestrian trails connecting neighborhoods with parks, schools, Sahuarita Lake and other destinations throughout the community.
How many events and programs does Rancho Sahuarita offer?
Rancho Sahuarita hosts more than 350 events, programs and fitness classes each year, giving residents ways to stay active, spend time together and find activities that fit their interests.
Is Entrada Del Toro a separate community or part of Rancho Sahuarita?
Entrada Del Toro is part of Rancho Sahuarita and sits in the community’s southernmost region. Its residents can enjoy trails, recreation, events and amenities throughout Rancho Sahuarita.
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