Arizona’s State Parks — natural areas, historic places, archaeological sites, cultural resources, and much more — are in trouble. Parks funding from the Arizona State Legislature has decreased significantly over the last eight years, and a number of parks are closing. To protect our parks for future generations, legislators should do two things:
FIRST, they should restore the enhancement fund (parks fee dollars we all pay) and the Heritage Fund so State Parks can continue to operate in the short term.
SECOND, they should support HCR2040, which refers to the ballot a measure to allow free day use of our parks for a fee on vehicle registrations. The vote is scheduled for 2 p.m., Thursday, February 25!
While you’re certainly welcome to show up in person, YOU CAN CLICK HERE NOW to send a message to your legislators asking them to vote YES on HCR2040.
If passed by the Legislature, this measure will be referred to the ballot. If Arizona’s voters approve, the fees will be voter protected, meaning that the Legislature could not divert them for other purposes. This is a crucial step toward saving our state park system!
Thank you for your support of our state parks and Arizona’s heritage!
Arizona Heritage Alliance Board of Directors (and 175 other organizations listed here)
[Source: Daily Courier, Joanna Doddler Nellans, 1-17-2010] — Some state parks in Yavapai County are set to close after the Arizona State Parks Board took drastic budget cutting measures Friday. The Parks Board gave at least one state park in Yavapai County, Fort Verde, a temporary reprieve.