Heritage Fund

State historian urges Arizonans to rally for state parks

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[Source: Bob Boze, True West Magazine.com, 1-28-2010] — Yesterday we met with Marshall Trimble here at the True West offices about doing something regarding the state of Arizona closing numerous parks, including the Tombstone Courthouse.  Here is what Marshall came up with:

ARIZONA HERITAGE FUND AND STATE PARKS. Everyone knows these are tough times and I don’t know anybody who hasn’t been hurt by it, but do we have to sacrifice our heritage and crown jewels?

I call on people everywhere to rally around the cause.  Let Arizona be the focal point.  I say this not because I’m an Arizonan.  To paraphrase my idol Will Rogers, “I never met a state I didn’t like,” but Arizona is unique.  The Spanish called it the “Northern Mystery.”  When the Army of the West crossed in the 1840s they were accompanied by scientists who made the first studies of the geology, flora, and fauna.  The scientific community in America and the Europe waited anxiously to see their reports.  Today, the biotic life in Arizona is the most diverse in the United States and scientists still come from afar to study here. [Note: To read the full blog entry, click here.]

Opinion: Hope efforts work to keep Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park open

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[Source: Yuma Sun.com, Jesse Torres, 1-24-2010] — It was with great sadness I read that the Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park will be closing.  A brief history, if I may.  The Arizona Territorial Prison at Yuma operated for 33 years.  It was open from July 1876 to September 1909.  During this time, 3,069 convicts were housed in this institution, of which 29 convicts happened to be female.  A total of 111 prisoners met their death due to consumption, murder, being shot while trying to escape and accidents.  The remains of 104 are buried in the prison cemetery.

The prison was quite modern for its time.  It had electricity and phone service in 1885.  Unfortunately, Yuma Prison closed due to overcrowding.  It was moved to Florence, Arizona.  But the prison was still used by the Yuma community.  The superintendent’s residence was used as a county hospital and from 1910 to 1914 the prison hospital and shop buildings were used as Yuma High School.  It was also a haven for people during the Great Depression.  In the 1930’s Hollywood discovered the Yuma Territorial Prison and many movies were filmed there.

In 1941, Yuma Prison became a museum started by the city of Yuma.  Clarisa Windsor became the first curator.  In 1961 the Yuma Territorial Prison was handed over to Arizona State Parks and became our third state park.  [Note: To read the full letter to the editor, click here.]

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.]