Arizona State Parks Board

Arizona State Parks Board looks at ways to cut expenses

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Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area, Show Low

[Source: Mike Leiby, White Mountain Independent] — The Arizona State Parks Governing Board recently announced that budget cuts per the state Legislature on Jan. 31 has forced the cancelation of at least one major event in the state and possibly some park closures. The only state park in the immediate area is Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area, which according to park officials, is pretty safe at this time because of its unique status as a tripartide agency park.  In contrast to most other state parks, which survive solely on the state parks system money, Fool Hollow Lake is the result of a partnership between the Arizona Game and Fish Department, U.S. Forest Service, and Arizona State Parks and has additional funding sources which gives it greater protection, said Arizona State Parks spokeswoman Ellen Bilbrey.

For those wondering if Woodland Lake Park might be in line for possible closure, there is no worry about that in connection with State Parks budgets because it is on Forest Service land and the use agreement between the Town of Pinetop-Lakeside and the Forest Service is not affected by State Parks system budget cuts.  However, other parks statewide under the auspices of the State Parks system might not be spared. State park officials recently announced that the Civil War in the Southwest event held for the last 20 years at Picacho Peak State Park is being canceled this year.

Since the announcement there has been a level of outcry from the public and reenactment community to keep the event open.  There is even an effort from within Arizona’s reenactment community to move the event to Pioneer Living History Museum in Phoenix (at least for this year) in an attempt to keep it alive.  Picacho Peak Park Director Rob Young said that the possibility of reenactors finding a permanent new location like Pioneer Living History Museum is exactly what he feared might happen.  “Even though the site at Picacho is not available, the Southwest Civil War Association will put on the event at Pioneer Living History Museum,” said Joe Spikes, the event coordinator for the Southwest Civil War Association.  [Note: To read the full article, click here.]

McFarland State Historic Park could face budget ax

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Ernest McFarland
Ernest W. McFarland, U.S. Senator, Governor, & Arizona Supreme Court Justice

[Source: Lindsey Collom, Arizona Republic] — McFarland State Historic Park in Florence was closed last week in anticipation of structural repairs, but if and when those repairs occur is up for debate.  The Arizona State Parks Board will meet in a regular board meeting Feb. 20 to discuss how to address a deficit created when lawmakers “swept” funds to help close a state budget shortfall. The deficit has threatened the closure of eight parks across Arizona — McFarland included.  Board members plan to discuss options in lieu of shut downs and take action during its board meeting.

According to a board agenda posted Wednesday, measures could include park closures; reduced park hours; hiring freezes; salary reductions; layoffs; and grant suspension. They will also explore alternative funding sources.  But hope may be in sight: Republican lawmakers on Tuesday moved to keep state parks open by taking $20 million from a land conservation fund.  The proposal faces a vote by the Rules Committee before going to the full House, where it would need three-quarters of the vote to pass.  

McFarland State Historic Park includes Arizona’s oldest standing courthouse and is also the largest adobe structure from the territorial period.  The park sits on the northern edge of Florence’s historic Main Street and draws about 5,000 annual visitors. [Note: To read the full article, click here.]

Camp Verde worries as state park is threatened with closure

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Jack Stewart (left) of Flagstaff and Jesse Rodrigues of Prescott, volunteers at Fort Verde State Historic Park (Photo: Andrea Wilson)

[Source: Andrea Wilson, Cronkite News Service] — Dressed in a handmade cavalry uniform, Jack Stewart gives a crisp salute to a veteran touring the adobe buildings at Fort Verde State Historic Park.  In the museum, Peggy Morris, outfitted in a prairie dress, explains to a visitor how a painting accurately depicts when Gen. George Crook commanded the fort in the late 1800s.  Other volunteers churn butter, cook hardtack and tend a garden to let visitors feel what life was like when the garrison protected settlers in the Verde Valley.  “The park and its artifacts are priceless,” said Morris, a retired widow who lives in neighboring Camp Verde. “Our hearts are really in this.”

“This place is cherished and loved,” said Stewart, who drives from Flagstaff for his volunteer duty.  “I shudder to think what would happen if it was abandoned.”

A roadside display topped by a cannon bills Camp Verde as “Home of Historic Fort Verde.”  But Fort Verde could soon close due to state budget cuts, a move that would sever community ties extending far beyond the park’s economic value.  Mary Taylor, chairwoman of the Camp Verde Chamber of Commerce, dropped by the park on a recent weekday to check in with the rangers.  She’s among the area residents with a family connection to Fort Verde: her great-grandfather was a doctor here, something that makes the prospect of the park closing especially painful.  “It’s hard because it’s personal,” Taylor said.

Mayor Tony Gioia said losing Fort Verde would take away the main draw for downtown Camp Verde, where many businesses are designed to complement the park’s historic flavor.  “The town functions on sales tax,” Gioia said.  “Now, in these economic times, tourism is especially vital.”  [Note: To read the full article, click here.]

Fate of Arizona state parks to be debated by parks board, Feb. 20 in Peoria

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The February 20, 2009 meeting of the Arizona State Parks Board will take place at 10 a.m. at the Peoria City Council Chambers, Municipal Complex, 8401 W. Monroe Street in Peoria.  The Council Chambers are located near the center of the north half of the complex.  Click here for map of the Municipal Complex.  The public is invited to attend.

Parking is available in open lots accessed from Monroe Street or from Cinnabar Avenue, or in parking garages located at the southwest and southeast corners of the complex.  Limited covered Library parking is available in the southwest parking garage.  Public parking is on the upper deck of both parking garages.

How to get to the Municipal Complex:

  • If you are traveling on Loop 101 (Agua Fria Freeway): exit at Peoria Avenue eastbound. Take Peoria Avenue to 85th Avenue.  Go south on 85th Avenue to Monroe Street.
  • If you are traveling on I-17 (Black Canyon Freeway): exit at Peoria Avenue westbound.  Take Peoria Avenue to 83rd Avenue.  Go south on 83rd Avenue, across Grand Avenue to Monroe Street.
  • If you are traveling on I-10 (Papago Freeway): exit at 83rd Avenue northbound.  Continue northward to Monroe Street, or exit onto Loop 101 (Agua Fria Freeway) and follow the directions above.