Arizona State Budget

Woman’s $250,000 donation to Arizona parks gets poached

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Asta Forrest (1919-2001)

[Source: Jay Reynolds, Channel 15 News] — There’s an Arizona budget battle brewing in an unlikely place.  Eighty-two-year-old Asta Forrest loved Arizona. So, when she died in 2001, she left a legacy by donating to the Arizona State Parks.  “Asta was a true lady,” said trustee and family friend Roger Essenburg.

According to her will, a 2003 donation of nearly $250,000 was given to the Arizona Department of Parks on behalf of Asta Forrest.  “She wanted to give this money so that other people could enjoy the state parks and all they have to offer,” said Essenburg.

While parks officials considered what to do with her donation, Arizona’s budget deficit climbed.  But last month, when the state Legislature met to cut cash from the budget, $213,000 was taken away from the Arizona State Parks donation fund.  “The state Legislature came in and took this money,” said Essenburg.  [Note: To view the TV news segment, visit Woman’s $250,000 donation to Arizona parks gets poached.]

Arizona parks officials preparing park closure list

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Tombstone tombstone

[Source: KSWT/Associated Press] — Arizona State Parks officials are reacting to recent budget cuts by preparing to recommend which parks must be closed for lack of funding, the start of a process that they warn could turn into a systemwide “death spiral.”

Executive Director Rene Bahl plans to present the parks board with recommendations on park closings for consideration during a Jan. 15 meeting.  The recommendations would implement an $8.6 million budget cut approved during the Legislature’s December special session to help reduce the state’s big budget shortfall.  [Note: Read the full article at Arizona parks officials preparing park closure list.]

Widow’s hefty donation to Arizona parks is poached

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[Source: Casey Newton, Arizona Republic] — In their latest effort to solve Arizona’s budget crisis with cuts, lawmakers turned to a woman who couldn’t make a fuss.  After all, she has been dead for eight years.  Alta Forest, a Danish immigrant who fell in love with Arizona after moving to Fountain Hills with her husband, left nearly $250,000 to the Arizona State Parks Board when she died of cancer at age 82.

When parks officials received the money in 2003, it was the largest private donation the parks system had ever received.  They were unprepared for such a large gift, said Ken Travous, who served as state-parks director for 23 years before retiring in June.  “We had never received anything of that magnitude before,” he said, adding that he began “looking for something that was big enough to really make her proud.”

While parks officials considered what to do with the money, Arizona’s budget deficit ballooned into the billions.  Last month, when the Republican-led Legislature met in special session to cut $140 million from the budget, it swept up half the money in the parks system’s donations fund, which included most of Forest’s donation.  “It was like they had kicked me in the stomach,” Travous said.  “Surely, I thought, they have some shame.  But they’re shameless.”  [Note: Read the full article at Widow’s hefty donation to Arizona parks is poached.]

Documentary to air plight of Arizona’s state parks

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Arizona’s state parks and Heritage Fund are in crisis.  In the upcoming documentary, “Postcards from the Parks: Finding a Future for Arizona’s Heritage,” four friends set out to learn why and to find out what can be done.

They visit all Arizona’s state parks and discover natural wonders, great recreation, and fascinating history.  They talk to leading citizens, park managers, volunteers, and park visitors to learn how important the parks are to the fabric of life in Arizona.  They check the numbers and see just how little our parks cost compared to the economic benefits they bring to our state, counties, and towns.  They dig to the heart of the matter to find out why our parks system is eroding, and what needs to be done to make it right.

Our parks can be saved.  In fact, they can thrive and continue to enrich all aspects of Arizona life now and for generations to come — if we make the right decisions.  The film will be released later this month.  The goal is to show the film and discuss its ramifications in communities all across the state.  If you would like the film shown in your community, contact the Arizona Heritage Alliance at 602-528-7500 or by e-mail.