State Parks

Jerome State Historic Park closes

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It's quite possible these visitors are pondering the fate of Jerome's state park.

[Philip Wright, Verde Valley News] — Thursday will be the last day to visit Jerome State Historic Park.  “Thursday will be the last day,” said Mike Rollins, park manager.  He said he had “no idea” when the site will re-open.  The State Parks Board voted last Friday to close Jerome State Historic Park.  This Friday, the park will not open.  “Thursday will be the last day,” said Mike Rollins, park manager.  He said he had “no idea” when the site will re-open.

Jerome Mayor Al Palmieri thought the decision came about abruptly, leaving the town no time to offer alternate solutions.  “If they had given some warning, we might have been able to do something,” he said.  Palmieri said he thinks that if one or two park employees remained on site, the town could have put together a volunteer effort to keep it open. “At least on weekends,” he said.

Rollins said he will remain assigned to the park Monday through Fridays from 8 to 5, and his staff will be assigned to Dead Horse Ranch, Slide Rock, and Red Rock state parks.  “I’m still going to be here to manage the project whenever that starts,” Rollins said.  He explained that a renovation project will make some major repairs to the north side of the building.  That is the area where a large section of plaster fell off.  Part of the building was closed following that collapse.  [Note: To read the full article, click here.]

McFarland repairs proceed despite closure, state says

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1878 Territorial Courthouse, McFarland State Historic Park, Florence (Photo: Arizona Republic)

[Source: Casa Grande Valley Newspapers] — Although McFarland State Historic Park has been closed, the state is proceeding with plans to repair it, the Arizona State Parks agency announced Tuesday.  “Tonto Natural Bridge and McFarland State Historic Park have been slated for years for these repairs and both projects are ‘hammer ready’ jobs that small construction firms will be able to bid on soon,” Assistant Parks Director Jay Ream said in a prepared statement.

McFarland Park in Florence was closed Feb. 6 because the adobe walls are crumbling and the foundation of the building is washing away underneath the walls.  Handmade adobe bricks will have to be made to replace the older foundation.  That project is out for bid now and bids are due March 19, according to Arizona State Parks.

The State Parks Board voted Friday to temporarily close two parks for repairs and to move rangers to other parks that have lost many professional and seasonal personnel due to a $34.6 million sweep from state parks funds.  Tonto Natural Bridge has severe roof leaks and structural problems and Jerome State Historic Park has a wall that is collapsing.  Both of those parks will close at 5 p.m. today.  [Note: To read the full article, click here.]

Rim chamber rallies support for Arizona’s Tonto state park

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Gov. Jan Brewer

[Source: Pete Aleshire, Payson Roundup] — Seeking to avert an “economic disaster” stemming from the closure of Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, Rim Country Regional Chamber of Commerce Manager John Stanton asked the region’s state representatives and Gov. Jan Brewer to attend a town hall meeting in Payson. 

Stanton and other advocates for the nearly self-supporting park that generates $3.6 million annually in economic benefits reacted with anger Monday, when a supposed closure for repairs turned into an indefinite shutdown to shift staff to other parks.  “Tourism is the Rim Country’s economic engine and the loss of the nearly 100,000 visitors would create an even greater economic hardship than now exists in this area.”

In addition to the town hall meeting, Stanton urged the lawmakers to support House Bill 2088, which would avert park closures by letting the state parks borrow money from the voter-approved “Growing Smarter” fund, intended to support parks and open space.  [Note: To read the full article, click here.]

Arizona’s budget crisis may cut funding, close several state parks

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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.]