State Parks

Camp Verde worries as state park is threatened with closure

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Jack Stewart (left) of Flagstaff and Jesse Rodrigues of Prescott, volunteers at Fort Verde State Historic Park (Photo: Andrea Wilson)

[Source: Andrea Wilson, Cronkite News Service] — Dressed in a handmade cavalry uniform, Jack Stewart gives a crisp salute to a veteran touring the adobe buildings at Fort Verde State Historic Park.  In the museum, Peggy Morris, outfitted in a prairie dress, explains to a visitor how a painting accurately depicts when Gen. George Crook commanded the fort in the late 1800s.  Other volunteers churn butter, cook hardtack and tend a garden to let visitors feel what life was like when the garrison protected settlers in the Verde Valley.  “The park and its artifacts are priceless,” said Morris, a retired widow who lives in neighboring Camp Verde. “Our hearts are really in this.”

“This place is cherished and loved,” said Stewart, who drives from Flagstaff for his volunteer duty.  “I shudder to think what would happen if it was abandoned.”

A roadside display topped by a cannon bills Camp Verde as “Home of Historic Fort Verde.”  But Fort Verde could soon close due to state budget cuts, a move that would sever community ties extending far beyond the park’s economic value.  Mary Taylor, chairwoman of the Camp Verde Chamber of Commerce, dropped by the park on a recent weekday to check in with the rangers.  She’s among the area residents with a family connection to Fort Verde: her great-grandfather was a doctor here, something that makes the prospect of the park closing especially painful.  “It’s hard because it’s personal,” Taylor said.

Mayor Tony Gioia said losing Fort Verde would take away the main draw for downtown Camp Verde, where many businesses are designed to complement the park’s historic flavor.  “The town functions on sales tax,” Gioia said.  “Now, in these economic times, tourism is especially vital.”  [Note: To read the full article, click here.]

Florence’s McFarland State Historic Park closes for “stabilization”

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[Source: Mark Cowling, Florence Reminder] — McFarland State Historic Park at Main and Ruggles streets closed indefinitely Friday afternoon. Although certain state park closures have been discussed in the current round of state budget cutting, this closing was called a “stabilization closure” for repair and reinforcement of the building’s weakening adobe, not a “budget closure.” Whatever the terminology, the news came as a blow to Florence.

The park is a key downtown attraction and its closing is a big loss to its neighbors, Florence Main Street Program Manager Jennifer Evans said. “They [state officials] have no idea of the impact on a community,” she said.  The three park staff members will be reassigned to other parks, although one will be back once a week to answer mail and pay bills.

In other state parks news, it was announced this week that the annual Civil War reenactment has been canceled next month at Picacho Peak State Park. [Note: To read the full article, click here.]

Fate of Arizona state parks to be debated by parks board, Feb. 20 in Peoria

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The February 20, 2009 meeting of the Arizona State Parks Board will take place at 10 a.m. at the Peoria City Council Chambers, Municipal Complex, 8401 W. Monroe Street in Peoria.  The Council Chambers are located near the center of the north half of the complex.  Click here for map of the Municipal Complex.  The public is invited to attend.

Parking is available in open lots accessed from Monroe Street or from Cinnabar Avenue, or in parking garages located at the southwest and southeast corners of the complex.  Limited covered Library parking is available in the southwest parking garage.  Public parking is on the upper deck of both parking garages.

How to get to the Municipal Complex:

  • If you are traveling on Loop 101 (Agua Fria Freeway): exit at Peoria Avenue eastbound. Take Peoria Avenue to 85th Avenue.  Go south on 85th Avenue to Monroe Street.
  • If you are traveling on I-17 (Black Canyon Freeway): exit at Peoria Avenue westbound.  Take Peoria Avenue to 83rd Avenue.  Go south on 83rd Avenue, across Grand Avenue to Monroe Street.
  • If you are traveling on I-10 (Papago Freeway): exit at 83rd Avenue northbound.  Continue northward to Monroe Street, or exit onto Loop 101 (Agua Fria Freeway) and follow the directions above.