[Source: Ray Stern, Phoenix New Times] — The new, $29 million Polly Rosenbaum State Archives and History Building Reading Room that opened late last year has closed until further notice — another victim of state budget cuts. “I’m hoping something is going to happen so that we can re-open it,” says GladysAnn Wells, state librarian and director of the Arizona State Library, Archives, and Public Records.
Stuck for years in a cramped space at the State Capitol, the new facility at 19th Avenue and Madison Street pleased state workers and visitors alike with “50 times more room” for reading and research, according to a November 30, 2008 Cronkite New Service article. Wells says the facility had been seeing about 10 to 25 visitors a day, but now will be available only for research “emergencies.” The state agency’s Law and Research Library Divison, the “primary legal resource” for state officials, will remain open on reduced hours — from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wells says. [Note: To read the full article, click here.]
Riordan Mansion, Flagstaff (Photo: Jen Merrill, NAU Lumberjack)
[Source: Matthew Vinsko, JackCentral] — In response to Arizona’s $1.6 billion deficit, the Arizona State Parks Board (ASPB) decided on Feb. 20 to close two state parks. Many others will receive a drop in funds, and may be closed in FY 2009, including Flagstaff’s Riordan Mansion. These parks cost too much to maintain compared to what tourism and other outlets bring in financially.
Bill Meek, the president of the Arizona State Parks Foundation, said with the obvious need for cuts throughout the state, it was a foregone conclusion that parks would be affected. “It was pretty apparent that (they) could not make it through the year with the money that they have,” Meek said. “(Because) we face the same problems as the universities, it is just as hard to get away from the legislature.”
Kendra Stoks, a volunteer for more than two years at Riordan Mansion, said this time of uncertainty has been hard on all those involved with Arizona state parks. “It is a scary time right now,” Stoks said. “State parks mean a lot to Arizona. We are all still shocked about (potentially) losing that little piece of history.” [Note: To read the full article, click here.]
[Source: Camp Verde Bugle] — It’s official. Jerome State Historic Park will close its doors. By all appearances, Fort Verde will not be far behind.
Don’t panic. When the State Parks Board voted Friday to shutter the Jerome park, it was with the understanding that repairs would be done and that some day the grand old place would be open to the public again in better shape than it is now. Like Tonto Natural Bridge State Park near Payson, Jerome has long needed a repair closure. Though personnel had not received official notification Saturday, the understanding is the Jerome park will be shut down by Feb. 27.
Even if Fort Verde State Park follows the same path, which could happen at the next meeting of the Parks Board, this should not be considered a permanent move — not if residents remain vigilant.
While other parks like Oracle and Homolovi Ruins were temporarily spared, we have to agree with Parks Director Ken Travous that it is unlikely that the concerned groups will be able to raise enough money to maintain them. That is also true of Fort Verde, which has been even more costly to run than Jerome has. No matter how many Friends or ex-Friends the fort may have, no one has that kind of money, certainly not the Camp Verde Historical Society.
What is important in Jerome (and in Camp Verde if and when the fort closes) is for residents to keep an eye on operations during the closure. Jerome’s Douglas Mansion is supposed to be closed for repairs. If residents note that the state is not spending money on such repairs, then it would be time to get more involved. If the buildings and fences of Fort Verde appear to be taking a slide, locals should dig down and help with the upkeep of Camp Verde’s centerpiece.
The closed parks are not being abandoned by the state, just shuttered. The rest of us should not abandon the parks, either. In hard economic times, it will take vigilance to make sure these closures are only temporary.
[Source: Michelle Price, Cronkite News Service] — Rita Gannon, a descendant of a Flagstaff pioneer, can breathe a sigh of relief — for now. The Arizona State Parks Board decided Friday to keep her ancestors’ property, Riordan Mansion State Historic Park, operating. But its fate — along with seven other parks — depends on the Legislature, which is considering a bill that would restore money cut from the Arizona State Parks budget. The board voted to close Jerome State Historic Park in Jerome, McFarland State Historic Park in Florence and Tonto Natural Bridge State Park near Payson until at least June 30. Depending on what the Legislature does, more parks could close in early March, members said.
Mike Davis, Riordan Mansion State Historic Park manager, speaks at ASP Board meeting. (CNS/Daniel Newhauser)
If Riordan Mansion were to close, the property would revert to Gannon’s family as part of an agreement that transferred it to the state. Rita Gannon, granddaughter of Timothy Riordan, a logging business owner who played a key role in the early growth of Flagstaff, said her family can’t manage that. “If they close it and we take it back, we cannot afford it, and it will fall to pieces,” said Gannon, who attended the hearing with her daughter Eileen. “It would be a shame.” Mike Davis, park manager at Riordan Mansion, which saw 26,209 visitors last year, said repercussions from closing the parks would be felt for years. “To walk away is an egregious example of throwing out the baby with the bath water,” he told the board.
Three other northern Arizona parks were on the list for closure: Fort Verde State Historic Park in Camp Verde, Homolovi Ruins State Park in Winslow, and Red Rock State Park in Sedona. Shifra Leah Boehlje, a volunteer at Fort Verde, told the board that closing the park would jeopardize its preservation of the past. Fort Verde is considered the best-preserved example of Indian Wars-era military architecture in Arizona. “I know we are concerned about money, but at what sacrifice to our history, which would be lost forever,” she said. “The risk of losing our history is just too great.” Fort Verde drew 15,992 visitors in 2008.
Susan Secakuku spoke of the importance of Homolovi State Park near Winslow to the Hopi culture. (CNS, Daniel Newhauser)
Susan Secakuku, a project manager with the Homolovi Park Project, said the Homolovi ruins, which include four pueblo sites, are an important part of the Hopi Tribe’s heritage. “Homolovi is a place that the Hopi Tribe considers part of our ancestral homelands,” she said. “The historic and cultural heritage of the Hopi Tribe is the foundation of our life ways, including our connection with our historic villages.” The board rejected a motion to add Homolovi to the closures approved Friday because representatives said the Hopi Tribe could help staff the park. “We feel wonderful that they took a measured decision regarding Homolovi,” Secakuku said later. Dale Sinquah, a member of the Hopi Tribal Council, urged the board to find other ways to address the budget cuts. “These are trying times, and during trying times we need to think of innovative ways to keep things going,” he said. Homolovi had 15,200 visitors last year. [Note: To read the full article, click here.]
[Source: Ray Stern, Phoenix New Times] — The new, $29 million Polly Rosenbaum State Archives and History Building Reading Room that opened late last year has closed until further notice — another victim of state budget cuts. “I’m hoping something is going to happen so that we can re-open it,” says GladysAnn Wells, state librarian and director of the Arizona State Library, Archives, and Public Records.
