The 9th Annual Arizona Historic Preservation Conference will take place in Tucson, at the University Park Marriott Hotel, 880 E. Second Street, June 22-24, 2011.
Attendance is typically comprised of architects, archaeologists, city planners, local and state government employees, historians, lecturers, educators, students, contractors, developers, historic homeowners, Native AmericanTribal representatives, and many more.
The conference will take place at the University Park Marriott Hotel, 880 E. Second Street, Tucson, Arizona 85719. The program will include off-site mobile sessions, visits to historic districts in central Tucson, and educational seminars and workshops.
Registration discounts for early registration will be available in early 2011. Standard registration costs include the full conference, some food and beverage, some special events, and all conference materials. Sponsorship opportunities are available as well. Hotel accommodations are not included in the registration fees.
Interested parties may also register to receive email notifications of updates to the website by visiting the same website’s home page.
Hikers, bikers and fishermen can definitely find themselves at home at some of Arizona’s lakes. Keeping active with a camping vacation can be a good way to stay healthy and release some stress. The spring, summer and fall months are prime season to get out to Arizona’s lake campgrounds, which are usually open from about May to the early fall. Some lake campgrounds, such as Fool Hollow Lake in eastern Arizona, are open to campers year-round.
Upper Lake Mary Campgrounds
Upper Lake Mary is a large lake in Flagstaff that’s well-stocked with a wide variety of fish. Located on federal land, this destination offers camping opportunities from early May to mid-September. In addition to two campground areas, the Upper Lake Mary recreational area offers boat ramps, picnic areas, hiking trails and fishing areas. The Upper Lake Mary campgrounds are fully developed with clean drinking water, cooking grills and maintained toilets. The fee for camping at Upper Lake Mary is $6, and for $35 campers can purchase a seasonal pass, as of August 2010.
Ashurst Lake Campgrounds
Like Upper Lake Mary, the Ashurst Lake Campground is managed by the federal government as part of the Coconino National Forest. This pristine campground, a mere 20 miles from Flagstaff, offers free camping from May to mid-October. There are 50 camping spots on the grounds, and each provides drinking water, toilets and cooking grill areas. According to the Forest Service, Ashurst Lake is unique among lakes its size in Arizona for its ability to hold water throughout the dry season. The lake is equipped with a boat ramp and excellent fishing opportunities. Anglers can expect to find rainbow and brook trout.
Patagonia State Park
The 250-acre Patagonia State Park in southeastern Arizona might be one of the state’s better kept secrets. The campground is positioned on a man-made lake, and opportunities abound for avid hikers, anglers and rowers. The lake is stocked for fishing from October through March, while campgrounds are available for $17, as of August 2010. Campgrounds are fairly well-developed with restrooms, showers and electric hook-ups. Park entrances are open to campers from 4 a.m. to 11 p.m., but overnight stays are allowed.
Lyman Lake State Park
One of Arizona’s lake campgrounds that provides cabin or yurt camping is Lyman Lake Park, located in the eastern part of the state. Lyman Lake Park is also fairly big, with over 1,200 square acres. It costs $50 to rent one of Lyman Lake’s cabins and $35 for a yurt, as of August 2010. Tent and RV camping sites are also available for less. Cabins and yurts are open from late May to early September. This Arizona lake campground is a good spot for hikers and tourists as well, who can participate every weekend in a guided tour of the area’s historical features–the former Rattlesnake Point Pueblo, a native American settlement.
Fool Hollow Lake Campground
Some Arizona lake campgrounds provide opportunities for year-round camping and recreation. One of these is the Fool Hollow Lake, also located in eastern Arizona. This area is a state park with developed campgrounds, featuring both electrified and non-electric campsites. In addition, these sites share showers, restrooms and picnic areas. Fishing is available and Fool Hollow Lake, too, including rainbow trout in abundant numbers, according to Arizona State Parks.
This two-day class in trail design starts with a half day in the classroom learning the basic concepts of trail design and layout. The afternoon is spent learning how to use a clinometer and to apply the new trail design skills to evaluate existing trails. The second day is spent evaluating an existing section of trail and laying out a new sustainable reroute. NOTE: This is not a construction course.
Trail Design Concepts Covered:* The Three Purposes of Trails * Grade, Tread Watershed, Anchors * Measuring Grade with a Clinometer * Five Critical Rules of Trail Design * Indications of Poorly Designed Trail * Evaluating Existing Trails * Planning Trail Reroutes * Five Stages Of Trail Layout * Types of Trail Users * Positive, Negative, Seasonal and Construction Control Points * Trail Routing Considerations * Climbing Turns vs. Switchbacks * Designing For Sustainability
Universal Trail Assessment Process Coordinator Workshop
October 19 – 20, Scottsdale, AZ
Registration is $50
The Universal Trails Assessment Process (UTAP) provides objective, accurate information about the conditions on a trail or in outdoor environments. The assessment results can help trail users determine whether a trail meets their interests and abilities. Land managers can also use the information to identify areas where access may be limited and to determine whether a trail complies with the proposed accessibility guidelines.
This two-day workshop enables individuals to conduct accurate assessments of trails in their own community and to lead groups of untrained individuals in the completion of trail assessments. Individuals who achieve a minimum of 70% on the final written exam are also eligible to be certified by American Trails as a Trail Assessment Coordinator. To become certified, individuals must submit copies of the trail data that they have collected for a minimum of two trails, which total at least one mile in length.
An Arizona State Park official said there would be no change in rules regarding alcohol consumption at Patagonia Lake State Park following the drowning death of a 28-year old man who investigators said was intoxicated when he dove into the lake on Aug. 8.
Image source: Arizona State Parks
The drowning of Sergio Rene Chavez of Nogales was the latest in a string of ugly incidents since march 2009 at the park – known as a popular drinking spot – that include a stabbing and sexual assault.
Scott Kerr, owner of Parker Canyon Lake Mercantile and Marina, said he could not recall any notable incidents. He said a big reason is that drinking is not tolerated when it becomes excessive. In fact, his store doesn’t even sell alcoholic beverages.
“If they are slobbering drunk, we don’t want them here,” Kerr said. “We call law enforcement immediately.”
Kerr said the U.S. Border Patrol, which is usually the first responder, can usually make it to Parker Canyon Lake in less than 10 minutes after a call.
However, Kerr said it hasn’t always been this way.
“They say it used to be pretty crazy here because it was a dirt road and no law enforcement would come out,” he said. “The hoodlums would just party, party, party.”
Kerr said he remembered a case some years ago of a person who drank too much and drowned
’We have nobody’
Bilbrey said Patagonia Lake State Park, due to a declining number of rangers on duty, has to rely on other law enforcement agencies if a situation begins to get out of hand. Usually that means sheriff’s deputies, who at times can be up to 20 minutes away.
“We have nobody. Budget cuts have barely allowed us to keep one law enforcement person there,” Bilbrey said.
“There is nothing really we can do. People have to manage themselves.”
Hot spot for law enforcement
Patagonia Lake State Park has been a regular site of unruly, dangerous and even deadly behavior. Here are some of the incidents reported to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office:
Aug. 8, 2010 – 28-year-old Sergio Rene Chavez of Nogales drowned in Patagonia Lake. Investigators said excessive alcohol was a factor.
June 16, 2010 – Rangers from Patagonia Lake State Park requested back-up dealing with a disorderly man with a mental condition.
March 27, 2010 – A man reported that his wife was at Patagonia Lake State Park, where three people, who were under the influence of alcohol, were attempting to open her car.
March 20, 2010 – A wreck involving four juveniles left a 17-year-old boy critically injured after the pick-up he was driving rolled near Patagonia Lake.
March 14, 2010 – Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a stabbing at the Patagonia Lake State Park marina.
Oct. 24, 2009 – A caller from Patagonia Lake State Park said that a man had assaulted a woman by the bathrooms near the marina.
July 24, 2009– Rangers at Patagonia Lake State Park requested assistance in transporting a man to the Santa Cruz County Detention Center after finding he had a warrant out of the Nogales Police Department.
June 20, 2009 – A vehicle was reported stolen at Patagonia Lake State Park, only to be later found in a canyon near Debra Court.
March 21, 2009 – A caller said his girlfriend had just been sexually assaulted at a campground located by the Patagonia Lake marina.
But Ellen Bilbrey, spokeswoman for Arizona State Parks, said the incidents are simply a function of the park’s high visitation.
