Arizona Heritage Alliance

3 Arizona state parks to be closed & more staff cuts made due to budget cuts

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Jerome State Historic Park

[Source: Casey Newton, Arizona Republic] — The State Parks Board on Friday voted to shut down three of the 11 state parks up for closure due to state budget cuts — Jerome State Historic Park, Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, and McFarland State Historic Park in Florence.  The board also plans to cut grants, lay off about 20 employees, and furlough about 10 more.

The state Parks Department is grappling with nearly $35 million that was cut from the agency’s budget in fiscal 2009, including $27 million in cuts approved by legislators and Gov. Jan Brewer late last month.  The funding was taken as part of a budget deal that closed a $1.6 billion state shortfall for fiscal 2009.  Now, potentially even larger cuts loom for 2010.  The department has already laid off about 60 seasonal and other workers.

Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, near Payson, and Jerome State Historic Park in Jerome have lodges and other buildings in dire disrepair, and are awaiting capital renovations.  The Parks Department manages 27 state parks that account for 2.3 million annual visitors.

Viewpoint: Good ideas, responsible cuts needed at Arizona State Parks

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Red Rock State Park Sedona Arizona
Red Rock State Park, Sedona

[Source: Camp Verde Bugle] — The Arizona State Parks Board meets again today to discuss shutting down or providing limited use of several parks.  With Parks Director Ken Travous’ latest suggestions for the closure list, there is a sense of machination or at least gamesmanship.  There has been enough waving of red flags.

The formula for shifting Red Rock State Park into the top five parks listed for closure (by considering only the percentage of visitors who are Arizona residents) is highly questionable.  The Sedona area is what it is — a very popular tourist destination for people all over the world.  It naturally follows that RRSP will be pulling in a majority of out-of-state visitors.  To wave the threat of closure at Red Rock is a great way to get Sedonans riled up and protesting the stinginess of the state Legislature.  It is certainly not responsible.  There are eight other state parks on the list that are harder on the State Parks budget than Red Rock is.

The suggested closure of Jerome State Historic Park and Tonto Natural Bridge State Park is only a good idea if it is temporary during repair work.  If “repair” closure is just a step toward permanent closure, that will only start a firestorm.

At its previous meeting, the State Parks Board had asked Travous to come up with more ideas other than shutting down parks.  If simply adding three more to the possible-closures list is all the director’s office came up with, the board needs to look in another direction.

Most residents of Arizona understand the current constraints on the state budget and the likelihood of more deficits and more cutting in the future.  State Parks will not avoid this.  Completely closing down some parks — especially those that are expensive to run and receive few visitors — is an understandable option if it is done responsibly.  Today, we hope the State Parks administration can look through the politicking and red flags and provide ideas of its own.

Agenda set for Feb. 20 Arizona State Parks Board; fate of 11 parks, grants & contracts up in the air

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Notice is hereby given to Members of the Arizona State Parks Board and the general public that the Board will hold a meeting, open to the public on Friday, February 20, 2009, at 9 a.m. in the Peoria City Council Chambers, 8401 W. Monroe Street, Peoria, AZ 85345.  The Board may elect to hold an Executive Session for any agendized item at any time during the meeting to discuss or consult with its legal counsel for legal advice on matters listed on this agenda. Items on the Agenda may be discussed out of order, unless those items are specifically noted and set for a time certain.  Public comment will be taken. The Board will discuss and may take action on the following matters.

AGENDA (items may be taken in any order unless set for a time certain)

A. CALL TO ORDER – ROLL CALL – 9 A.M.

B. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Upon a public majority vote, the Board may hold an Executive Session, which is not open to the public for the following purposes:

  1. To discuss or consult with its legal counsel for legal advice on matters listed on this agenda pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.03.A.3. (a) Ramifications of suspending grant contracts, (b) Ramifications of closing parks, deed restrictions, covenants.
  2. Discussions or consultations with designated representatives of the public body in order to consider its position and instruct its representatives regarding negotiations for the purchase, sale or lease of real property matters listed on this agenda pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.03.A.7. (a) Contact Point Recreation and Public Purpose Lease.
  3. To discuss or consider employment, assignment, appointment, promotion, demotion, dismissal, salary, discipline or resignation of a public officer, appointee or employee of any public body pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.03.A.1. (a) Hiring an Executive Director, (b) Personnel Actions, Including Lay-Offs, Reductions-In-Force, and Furloughs.

C. INTRODUCTIONS OF BOARD MEMBERS AND AGENCY STAFF

  1. Board Statement — “As Board members we are gathered to be the stewards and the voice of Arizona State Parks’ Mission Statement: Managing and Conserving Arizona’s Natural, Cultural, and Recreational Resources, Both In Our Parks and Through Our Partners for the Benefit of the People.”

D. CONSENT AGENDA – The following items of a non-controversial nature have been grouped together for a single vote without Board discussion.  The Consent Agenda is a timesaving device and Board members received documentation regarding these items prior to the open meeting.  Any Board member may remove any item from the Consent Agenda for discussion and a separate vote at this meeting, as deemed necessary.  The public may view the documentation relating to the Consent Agenda at the Board’s office: 1300 W. Washington, Suite 104, Phoenix, Arizona.

  1. Approve Minutes of January 9, 2009, Arizona State Parks Board meeting
  2. Approve Executive Session Minutes of January 9, 2009, Arizona State Parks meeting
  3. Approve Minutes of February 3, 2009, Arizona State Parks Board meeting

E. DISCUSSION ITEMS

  1. Discussion on Issuance of the Off Highway Vehicle Licenses by Motor Vehicle Division
  2. Composition of the Off Highway Vehicle Sub-Committee
  3. Contact Point request from Lake Havasu City regarding BLM lease
  4. Governor’s Task Force on Arizona State Parks
  5. Update on the hiring of the Executive Director
  6. Executive Director’s Hiring Subcommittee report
  7. Legislative Update
  8. Budget update on Fiscal Years 2009 and 2010
  9. Fiscal year 2009 Arizona State Parks Budget reduction measures – Including but not limited to; Park closures, reduction of park hours/days of operation, personnel actions, furloughs, reduced work schedules, hiring freezes, salary reductions, reductions in force for covered employees, layoffs for uncovered employees, reducing administrative expenses (Phoenix Office), suspension of grants and the legal ramifications, alternative funding including capital funds, Heritage Funds, Law Enforcement Boating Safety Fund, Off Highway Vehicle “sticker revenue”

F. BOARD ACTION ITEMS

  1. Appoint new members to the Off Highway Vehicle Advisory Group (OHVAG) – The committee recommends that the following two individuals be appointed to fill the vacancies on OHVAG: R. Hank Rogers and David L. Moore and that they each serve a three-year term beginning January 9, 2009.
  2. Contact Point – The Board will take action on Lake Havasu City’s request for approval of their application to the Bureau of Land Management.
  3. Fiscal year 2009 Budget revisions.  The Parks Board will take actions regarding the FY2009 budget.
  4. The Board may decide to take action regarding hiring an Executive Director.

G. PRESENTATIONS

  1. Morrison Institute – Grady Gammage, Jr.
  2. Recognition for Service
  3. 2009/2010 Budget Options

H. TIME AND PLACE OF NEXT MEETING AND CALL FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

  1. Staff recommends that the next Arizona State Parks Board Meeting be on April 3, 2009 at the Old City Hall of Yuma Council Chambers located at 180 W. First Street, Yuma, AZ.
  2. Board members may wish to discuss issues of interest to Arizona State Parks and request staff to place specific items on future Board meeting agendas.

I. CALL TO THE PUBLIC – Consideration and discussion of comments and complaints from the public.  Those wishing to address the Board must register at the door and be recognized by the Chair.  It is probable that each presentation will be limited to one person per organization. Action taken as a result of public comment will be limited to directing staff to study or reschedule the matter for further consideration at a later time.

J. ADJOURNMENT

AHA to honor long-time park volunteer, Charley Thornton, March 1

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[Source: William C. Thornton, Board Member, Arizona Heritage Alliance] — Our father Charley Thornton was always willing to lend a helping hand and take on a new challenge.  To tell dad he couldn’t do something only made him more determined to do it.  In 1947 he was asked to help start a wrestling team at the Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind.  After an inauspicious beginning (on their first outing they lost every match) the program went on to earn international recognition.

For conditioning dad designed and built the first railed running track for the visually impaired.  His boys couldn’t wait to try out the new track.  Charley later recalled: “The looks on their faces brought tears to my eyes.  For the first time in their lives they were running free.”  He built the school’s first gymnasium a few years later.  School funds were scarce.  The track and gym were built entirely with volunteer labor, materials, and donations.

As the boys gained conditioning we began taking them on weekend hikes.  The search for greater challenges led to the first rim to rim crossing of the Grand Canyon by blind hikers in 1956.  News services picked up the story and Senator Barry Goldwater sent a letter of congratulations.  The program produced some champion wrestlers but I’m sure dad would agree that his biggest accomplishment was to give the boys the confidence they needed to succeed after school.  Perhaps his greatest tribute came from my old friend Paul Montoya who said: “Charley taught us to say I can instead of I can’t.”

In retirement hiking continued to be a big part of dad’s life.  We often hiked in what is now Catalina State Park long before it was a park.  We applauded the park’s creation and breathed a big sigh of relief when a creative land swap saved it from development.  Dad worked as a park volunteer for several years before his death in 1993.  Charley’s bench alongside one of his favorite trails is a wonderful tribute to a simple man who loved the outdoors and made a difference in many lives.

So join the Arizona Heritage Alliance’s tribute to Charley Thornton on Sunday, March 1 at 11 a.m. in Catalina State Park, Tucson AZ 85740, 520-628-5798.  There is a Park entrance fee of $6 per vehicle (1-4 adults).  Meet at the trailhead, and head down the Sutherland Trail for about one mile.  Wear comfortable shoes.  Click here for the Catalina State Park website.  For more on Charley’s life, click here.