State Parks

Arizona state parks take big hit: Grant funding for outdoor capital-improvement projects at issue

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[Source: Independent Newspapers, Terrance Thornton 9-28-2009] — The Arizona State Parks Department found its expected $8.6 million general fund allocation this fiscal year on the cutting room floor due to a $4 billion deficit to the state budget.  In the face of such severe cuts, we just cannot continue to operate as we did before and as the public has become accustomed,” said Arizona State Parks Assistant Director Jay Ziemann in a written response to e-mailed questions.  “In 2010, five parks will be closed to the public — Jerome, Tonto Natural Bridge, McFarland, Oracle and San Rafael — and another 17 will have reduced or seasonal hours of operation.”

In addition to budget reductions, the state parks department is facing suspended grant programs, Mr. Ziemann explained.  Grant programs from the Heritage Fund and the State Lake Improvement Fund, which communities across the state have come to rely on, have been cancelled,” he said.  In Apache Junction, the Lost Dutchman State Park, 6109 N. Apache Trail, will at this point only have its campgrounds operated to meet seasonal demands, Mr. Ziemann said. [Note: To read the full story, click here.]

Viewpoint: Long-term fix needed for Arizona State Parks

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[Source: Editorial Board, Arizona Republic, 9-22-2009] — Funding will flow to pay state park rangers and stalled projects will start again — if a state budget committee gives the go-ahead today.  Arizona State Parks plans to backfill some of its crippling budget cuts this year by tapping cash in the Heritage Fund: $6.5 million for staffing and $6.1 million to restore grants that were suspended.  This is a short-term fix, a rob-Peter-to-pay-Paul strategy.  It’s not a solution but a sign of the dire plight of our parks. Still, the Joint Legislative Budget Committee should endorse the proposal.

Recreational and preservation projects around Arizona screeched to a halt in February when the State Parks Board suspended funding on Heritage Fund grants in a desperate bid to keep parks open.  Soccer fields under construction, half-finished repairs to historic buildings, trails that were under way, partly built parks — some of the projects were 90 percent complete when the funding abruptly stopped.  Those that had raised matching funds were in danger of losing their money.

These are projects that went through tough competition and must meet rigorous reporting requirements.  From the Great Arizona Puppet Theater to petroglyph sites, they are part of Arizona’s character.  A wall-stabilization job was under way at the historic Sullivan Hotel in Jerome, a former house of ill repute that is now shops.  With the 1903 structure on the verge of collapse, owners Mary Wills and Sally Dryer borrowed money to get the work done.  If the JLBC approves, they’ll finally be able to pay off the debt and the contractors who were willing to wait.

Relieving part of this year’s crisis with the Heritage Fund means that money won’t be available next year.  And some already approved projects — restoring the iconic San Xavier del Bac Mission is a particularly appalling case — are not eligible for the backfill because they were not under way or had not yet submitted bills.  Meanwhile, the state park system is starving for dollars.

The Legislature cut off all general-fund support for State Parks.  It then raided funds earmarked for operating expenses.  The parks’ operating budget has fallen from $26 million to $19 million.  Arizona State Parks is seeking public comments on a wide range of proposed fee hikes (go to azstateparks.com).

Gov. Jan Brewer appointed a task force to recommend ways to provide a sustainable stream of funding for the parks.  That’s not just operations: Maintenance is at the crisis point.  The report, due in October, should have a creative, practical, doable strategy.  Our cultural and recreational treasures are at risk.  In this tourist-oriented state, it would be truly foolish to lose them.

Viewpoint: Shame on us for not protesting sooner and louder

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[Source: Ellen Vojnic, Campe Verde Bugle] — Once again I am reading about the legislature robbing the money allocated to the State Parks system.  A large portion of that money comes from voter-approved measures to support our state treasures.  How can the elected representatives decide to just take that money for other purposes without putting the matter back before voters?

As stated in the commentary this week, much of our tourism dollars come from folks coming to Arizona to visit our State Parks.  We have many very fine parks throughout our state including several right here in the Verde Valley area.

Jerome State Park has been closed for a few months now and not only did the closing not make sense, no money has been saved because the employees were just moved to another park.  Lights are still on at night as usual, just NO revenue coming in.  How do we continue to elect people (state and federal level) who seem to have their own agenda (or special interest group) at heart and not what is best for Arizona as a whole.  No one wants to see people laid off their jobs, but the state government is the largest employer in our state.

Probably the same can be said for the federal government, also.  Labor is always the highest cost and the first place you look when trying to save money in a business.  Most other expenses are not negotiable.  Not only are the State Parks being cut, so has the State Historic Archives been cut off.  What a shame!  Shame on us all for not protesting sooner and louder!

Jerome chamber petitions for reopening of state park

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[Source: Philip Wright, Verdenews.com] – Chamber of Commerce president Tom Pitts has taken the lead in trying to get the Jerome State Historic Park reopened.  Opened in October of 1965, the Douglas Mansion was operated continuously as the State Historic Park until Arizona State Parks closed it, suddenly, on Feb. 26.  Although the parks board originally targeted the park for closure due to budget constraints, when it finally closed the tourist attraction, it gave “maintenance and repairs” as the reason. Unfortunately, no work or bidding has taken place on the mansion.

Pitts spoke to the Jerome Town Council Tuesday night to update them on his and the chamber’s efforts to reopen the park.  “I put together a petition calling for the reopening of the park,” Pitts said.  He said more than 3,000 signatures of Arizona residents had been collected.  Other signatures from throughout the United States and many other countries were included on the petition.  With the petition, Pitts included a fact sheet based on a 2007 study done by Northern Arizona University on the economic impact of Arizona’s state parks.

Nearly 2.3 million people visited Arizona state parks in 2007, spending more than $162 million.  The Jerome State Historic Park generated more than $7 million income for Yavapai County.  The total visitors to the park during that year was more than 60,000, with 72 percent of them from out of state. Pitts told the council that state officials are actually starting to look at it.  “We’re anxious to get it reopened,” he said.