Arizona State Budget

Town of Wickenburg asks state to keep Alamo Lake Park open

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[Source: Wickenburg Sun, Janet DelTufo, 1-20-2010] — Vice Mayor John Cook has asked the Town of Wickenburg to assist him in his efforts in keeping the state from closing Alamo Lake State Park this summer.  With the state budget in peril, the Arizona State Park’s Board last week voted to close 13 of 22 state parks, including Alamo Lake State Park. It is scheduled to close June 3.

Cook and many other community members have expressed outrage over this recent development and would like the state to change its position regarding the closure of this park.  “Bass clubs, both adult and youth, come from all over to fish at Alamo Lake,” Cook said.  “The Town of Wickenburg needs Alamo Lake as it generates revenues, and our kids need it because it gives them something to do.”

Alamo Lake State Park was opened and dedicated in 1969, and annual events include bass fishing tournaments and star gazing gatherings.  Cook, who fishes at Alamo Lake, has asked Town Manager Gary Edwards to try to meet with Gov. Jan Brewer regarding the Alamo Lake situation.  Edwards has contacted the governor’s office.  As of press time, her office was attempting to set up a meeting between the governor and Wickenburg officials.  [Note: To read the full article, click here.]

Arizona decides to close most state parks

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[Source: Los Angeles Times, Nicole Santa Cruz, 1-16-2010] — Wrestling with a multibillion-dollar budget deficit, Arizona decided Friday to close nearly all of its state parks, including the famed Tombstone Courthouse and Yuma Territorial Prison.  The State Parks Board unanimously voted to close 13 parks by June 3.  Eight others had already been closed, and the decision would leave nine open — but only if the board can raise $3 million this year.  The action represents the largest closure of state parks in the nation, although several other states are considering similar moves.

“It’s a dark day for the Arizona state parks system,” said Renee Bahl, the system’s executive director.  “We have 65,000 acres around the state and the majority of them are closing.”  The Arizona parks receive about 2.3 million visitors per year who bring about $266 million into the state, Bahl said.  “It’s unfortunate that a short-term recession is having an impact on our future,” Bahl said.

Arizona isn’t the only state struggling to support its parks.  [Note: To read the full article, click here.]

Citizens speak out on behalf of Arizona State Parks, Jan. 15, at packed Phoenix Zoo meeting

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Clip #1: Ken Travous, former Director, Arizona State Parks; Cindy Sherman, Volunteer at Riordan Mansion State Historic Park; and Susan Culp.

Clip #2: Cristie Statler, Arizona State Parks Foundation Director; Claudine Mahoney, Benefactors of Red Rock State Park; and Sandy Bahr, Sierra Club’s Grand Canyon Chapter Executive Director.

Clip #3: Bill Roe, former Arizona State Parks Board Member; Charles Adams, University of Arizona; and Charles Eatherly, former Arizona State Parks Deputy Director.

Clip #4: Joni Bosh, former Arizona State Parks Board Member; Cindy Krupika, Friends of Oracle State Park President; Bob Burnside, Camp Verde Mayor; and Chris Strohm, Volunteer Sonoita Creek State Natural Area.

Arizona State Parks keeps 9 parks open; 13 will close

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The public listens as the Board discusses Park closures at 1/15/10 meeting held at the Phoenix Zoo.

The Arizona State Parks Board voted to keep nine parks open and close the remaining thirteen State Parks in a phased series of closures starting February 22, 2010 due to six different State Parks funds being swept of $8.6 million.  In addition, four parks remain closed due to previous budget reductions.

The nine parks that will remain open are ones that generate the most revenue back into the parks operating revolving funds. The parks that will remain open include Buckskin Mountain State Park in Parker, Catalina State Park near Tucson, Cattail Cove State Park in Lake Havasu City, Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood, Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area in Show Low, Kartchner Caverns State Park in Benson, Lake Havasu State Park, Patagonia Lake State Park and Slide Rock State Park in Sedona.

The remaining parks will be closed in a phased sequence starting on February 22, 2010 and include Homolovi Ruins State Park in Winslow, Lyman Lake State Park in St. Johns, and Riordan Mansion State Historic Park in Flagstaff.

The next park closings will occur on March 29, 2010 and will include Fort Verde State Historic Park in Camp Verde, Roper Lake State Park in Safford, Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park, Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park, and Tubac Presidio State Historic Park.

The final phased closings will occur on June 3, 2010 and will include Tonto Natural Bridge State Park near Payson, Alamo Lake State Park in Wenden, Lost Dutchman State Park in Apache Junction, Picacho Peak State Park, and Red Rock State Park in Sedona.

The remaining parks will continue their agreements with other entities or will be passively managed by an adjacent park.  These include Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park in Superior, Sonoita Creek State Natural Area, Verde River Greenway State Natural Area, and Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park.

Four parks would remain closed.  These include Jerome State Historic Park, McFarland State Historic Park in Florence, Oracle State Park, and San Rafael State Natural Area.

For more information about the 27 State Parks, statewide hiking opportunities, off-highway vehicle trails, and other outdoor recreational and cultural opportunities in Arizona, call (602) 542-4174 (outside of the Phoenix metro area call toll-free 800-285-3703), visit AZStateParks.com, or follow on twitter.com/AZStateParks.