State Parks

Arizona state parks open after hours-long closure

by

[Source: Arizona Daily Sun, Associated Press] — State parks reopened Wednesday morning after concerns about the lack of a state budget prompted an overnight closure.  A state budget passed early Wednesday averted a government shutdown, even though Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed portions of the multi-bill package.  Parks had been ordered closed on Tuesday afternoon, but the passage ensured they would reopen for the upcoming July 4 holiday.

An estimated 55,000 people are expected to visit the 30 sites within the parks system over the weekend, said State Parks Director Renee Bahl.  Rangers removed signs Wednesday morning that advised visitors of the closure.  “Nobody is happier than we are to welcome guests back into the parks and to get ready for our biggest week of the year,” Bahl said.

The midnight deadline to pass a budget under the state constitution passed Tuesday with little immediate effect to agencies other than parks.  Most state agencies were closed, and Brewer already had told public safety agencies to maintain normal operations.  Fred Solop, chairman of Northern Arizona University’s Department of Politics and International Affairs, said the delay put the state parks system in a difficult situation.  “Clearly the parks felt they had to do something given the big weekend that was coming,” he said.  “It was prudent for them to shut down early. It would be much more difficult to tell people they had to leave a campsite Fourth of July weekend.” [Note: To read the full article: Arizona state parks open after hours-long closure]

27 Arizona State Parks close at Midnight, July 1 due to budget impasse

by

(Phoenix, AZ — June 30, 2009, updated at 7 pm) – The Arizona State Parks department asked campers to leave 13 State Parks’ campgrounds at 4 p.m. today in order to close down the parks before the midnight deadline for closing all Arizona State Parks. Parks will be closed and not reopen until the department has operating authority.

In order to reduce the economic impact for two rural communities, the Arizona State Parks department staff have signed special use applications with the City of Show Low and the City of Lake Havasu. These agreements would allow each City to operate, monitor, maintain and control the parks.  Show Low’s Fool Hollow Lake State Recreation Area and Lake Havasu State Park (day use only, no camping) will operate under these special use agreements through July 5th or will end when the State Parks’ budget is authorized. Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park is also open.

These permits would include the legal and safe parking of all visitors, use and function of the launch ramps, access and maintenance of the restroom facilities, trash pickup, emergency medical response and public safety.  The agreements begin at midnight on June 30 until July 5th.

If there is no operating budget by July 1, 2009 most parks will be closed.  For days the agency is closed, all reservations for Camping Cabins, Yurts, and campsites will be cancelled, and can be rescheduled or refunded.  For days the agency is closed, all Cave Tours at Kartchner Caverns State Park will be cancelled, and can be rescheduled or refunded.

For more information about the 30 State Parks, other hiking opportunities such as hiking all the 550 State Trails, off-highway vehicle trails and other outdoor recreational and cultural opportunities in Arizona, see the website at the Arizona State Parks department at www.AZStateParks.com or call (602) 542-4174.

Could rift over Arizona budget lead to shutdown of state services?

by
More closure signs could go up if state budget crisis isn't resolved (Photo: Tom Brossart, Payson Roundup)

[Source: Casey Newton and Mary Jo Pitzl, Arizona Republic] — Driver’s licenses will be unavailable.  Road construction will grind to a halt.  Child abuse will not be investigated… [All 28 state parks would likely close indefinitely.] Those are some of the scenarios state agencies are preparing for should state leaders fail to agree on a budget by July 1.

The nearly total shutdown of state government, a possibility raised last week by Gov. Jan Brewer, has grown more likely this week as Republican leaders in the Legislature refuse to send Brewer the budget package they approved June 4…. [Note: To read the full article, click here.]