One of 36 casualties of Arizona State Parks Board decision to suspend Heritage Fund grants: renovation work at Great Arizona Puppet Theater in Phoenix (photo: jumpingnorman, Virtual Tourist)
[Source: Casey Newton, Arizona Republic] — …The [Arizona State Park] board’s decision to use local grant funds for operating expenses drew some criticism from members of the public. The board has canceled dozens of grants to communities around the state, including some for projects already under construction. “We’re angry with what’s happened to the… grants that were suspended,” said Janice Miano, executive director of the Arizona Heritage Alliance.
Board member Larry Landry said canceling grants to keep parks open sent the wrong message to the Legislature. “We’re making it too easy for them to say we’re going to rape and kill every other program to keep parks open,” Landry said. “If they’re going to take our money, they need to have consequences, too.” [Note: To read the full article, click here.]
Rick Fernau, mayor of Show Low, attended the Parks Board meeting to protest the cancellation of a grant that was to be used to create a park (Photo: Daniel Newhauser)
[Source: Daniel Newhauser, Cronkite News Service] — With one round of legislative budget cuts behind him and more looming, Arizona State Parks Executive Director Ken Travous said Friday that heart-wrenching decisions eventually will need to made about closing parks. “Right now, were having to decide which of our children we’re going to feed,” he told members of the Arizona State Parks Board. “And they’re all my children.”
Board members decided Friday to wait on adding to three parks already shuttered until the Legislature determines how much it plans to cut from the Arizona State Parks’ budget for the fiscal year beginning in July. However, the board granted the agency authority to limit park hours by up to two full days per week if necessary. After trimming operations and cutting grants for parks, trails and historic preservation, the agency has enough money to operate remaining parks if lawmakers don’t cut anything, Travous said. But it would be a pipe dream to think they won’t, he added. Travous said he expects cuts of up to $12 million for fiscal 2010 against a total budget of around $23 million.
Meanwhile, the board unanimously agreed to support HB 2088, sponsored by Rep. Warde Nichols, R-Chandler, which would help prevent park closures by temporarily reallocating money from the Growing Smarter Fund voters created in 1998 to conserve land. That legislation, which would require a three-quarters vote from both chambers, was awaiting a final vote in the House. [Note: To read the full article, click here.]
The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is touting a major victory for communities across America in the negotiations over the economic stimulus bill that is to be considered by both houses of Congress. In the language agreed by House and Senator conferees, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will allow communities to use funding from programs such as Community Development Block Grants, transportation infrastructure, and the Prevention and Wellness Trust Fund to support community parks. Without the work of NRPA members and staff, the bill would have explicitly restricted communities from using these funds to support parks and recreation.
Read how the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will benefit parks and recreation. For more information, call or e-mail Mike Phillips or Ashley Futrell, 202-887-0290.
This weekend, celebrate Arizona by visiting a state park (before they’re forced to close due to lack of adequate funding) or other place of interest. For ideas, visit Arizona Passages or Arizona Heritage Traveler.
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