[Source: Mark Cowling, Florence Reminder] — McFarland State Historic Park at Main and Ruggles streets closed indefinitely Friday afternoon. Although certain state park closures have been discussed in the current round of state budget cutting, this closing was called a “stabilization closure” for repair and reinforcement of the building’s weakening adobe, not a “budget closure.” Whatever the terminology, the news came as a blow to Florence.
The park is a key downtown attraction and its closing is a big loss to its neighbors, Florence Main Street Program Manager Jennifer Evans said. “They [state officials] have no idea of the impact on a community,” she said. The three park staff members will be reassigned to other parks, although one will be back once a week to answer mail and pay bills.
In other state parks news, it was announced this week that the annual Civil War reenactment has been canceled next month at Picacho Peak State Park. [Note: To read the full article, click here.]