At the request of Arizona Heritage Alliance board member, Sam Campana, we are extremely pleased and excited to share the news of the creation of the Miano Trailhead at the new Arizona State Parks & Trails “Rockin’ River State Park!” The Miano Trailhead was officially celebrated at the grand opening of Arizona’s newest state park held on Thursday, February 8, 2024. Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, State Parks Board Chair Dale Larsen, and State Parks Board Vice Chair John Sefton congratulate Janice on her long-time service and well-deserved recognition. Janice Miano, our fellow board member, past board president, and past executive director has been a shining star for so many years advocating wholeheartedly and tirelessly for the Arizona Heritage Fund specifically and our great state’s natural, cultural, and historic resources overall. #azoutdoors #arizonastateparks #HeritageFund #azstateparks #aztrails #arizonastateparksandtrails #milanotrailhead
Arizona State Parks and Trails Opens New State Park
February 5, 2024 – Arizona State Parks & Trails Press Release
For the first time since 2016, Arizona will have a new state park. Rockin’ River Ranch, located in Camp Verde, will be opening on February 9, 2024 with outdoor recreation options like picnicking, hiking, and wildlife watching. The park will operate Fridays-Sundays.
Governor Katie Hobbs spoke at the grand opening ceremony on Thursday, February 8 at 1 p.m. Area
legislators, Camp Verde and Yavapai County officials, and other stakeholders will be invited to attend. This will be a fee-free day for the public to explore the park before the official opening on Friday.
“Thank you to all our amazing community partners and stakeholders who helped us reach this milestone,” said Arizona State Parks and Trails Executive Director Bob Broscheid. “Being able to share this beautiful space is something that our agency has been working toward for more than a decade, and we are excited to open the park and welcome visitors.”
Rockin’ River Ranch State Park will be open for day use Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5
p.m., with last entry at 4 p.m., and will cost $7 per vehicle for entry. The 209-acre park was acquired in 2008 and is comprised of riparian and high desert land with stunning views of the Camp Verde area. Facilities will include restrooms, picnic areas, parking, and a visitor center/gift shop. Six hiking trails are available for mountain biking, equestrian riding, hiking, wildlife watching, birding, and fishing access along the Verde River.
The park was acquired in 2008 and sits at the confluence of West Clear Creek and the Verde River. Previously operated as a guest ranch with horse riding and boarding facilities, the park will now offer nearly four miles of multi-use trails, allowing exploration of the pastures, a mesquite bosque and the riparian zone along the Verde River. Resident and migratory birds and native wildlife are found in the park, and protected and native fish swim in the river.
More information about Rockin’ River Ranch State Park can be found online at AZStateParks.com/Rockin-River. This will be the second park in Camp Verde, the first being Fort Verde State Historic Park, which was opened and dedicated in 1970.
Managing and conserving Arizona’s natural, cultural and recreational resources for the benefit of the people, both in our parks and through our partners.
For information about the more than 30 Arizona State Parks and Natural Areas, trails, Off-Highway Vehicle Program, and State Historic Preservation Office, call 1-877-MY-PARKS or visit AZStateParks.com.
PRESS CONTACT: Michelle Thompson at (480) 589-8877 – Email: [email protected]
Information for 2023 Arizona State Parks Heritage Fund
$6M Appropriated in FY24 for Arizona State Parks Heritage Fund – On Friday, May 12, 2023, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs announced that she signed an $17.8 billion budget for the 2024 fiscal year that features heavy investments in education, transportation, and tax rebates. The budget also includes $6 million for the State Parks Heritage Fund and $500,000 for the Arizona Trail. The Arizona Heritage Alliance and Arizona Preservation Foundation provided strong support, with the help of hundreds of individual and organizational stakeholders across the state, in advocating for these programs benefitting Arizona’s cultural, historic, and natural resources. Thank you to all our members, partners and friends you have continued to support restoring the Arizona State Parks Heritage Fund.
List of 2023/2024 Arizona State Parks Heritage Fund Grant Awardees (as of 12/21/2023)
Map of Arizona State Parks Heritage Fund Grand Awardees – Fiscal Year 21 and 22.
A recent poll commissioned by the State Innovation Exchange showed Arizonans continue to support progressive policy solutions to the problems facing Arizona including question #28 about supporting the Arizona State Parks Heritage Fund.
Estimate of AZ State Parks Heritage Fund awards 2022/2023
Colorado College’s 13th annual State of the Rockies Project “Conservation in the West Poll” summary
Arizona’s individual state “Conservation in the West Poll” infographic
Overview of AZ Heritage Fund, ARPA and HCVA grants awarded and talking points
Arizona State Parks Heritage Fund Grant Awardees – Fiscal Year 22/23
Current list of 2022/2023 Arizona State Parks Heritage Fund Grant Awardees
List of 2021/2022 Arizona State Parks Heritage Fund Grant Awardees
2023 “What We Should Support Restoring the ASP Heritage Fund”
Arizona Heritage Alliance Powerpoint Presentation (updated 8.16.2023)
Arizona Preservation Foundation Issues State Public Policy Recommendations
Source: Arizona Preservation Foundation Blog Post – January 5, 2023
Arizona Preservation Foundation Board of Directors conveyed the following preservation related 
recommendations for consideration of the incoming Hobbs Administration. Historic preservation and the sustainable adaptive reuse of historic resources enhances real estate values and fosters local businesses, keeping historic main streets and downtowns economically viable. Heritage tourism is a real economic force, one that is evident in places that have preserved their historic character.
STATEWIDE
Support full funding for the State Parks Heritage Fund through the Arizona Lottery. While general appropriations and ARPA funds have supported the State Parks Heritage Fund for the past two fiscal years, restoring its original source of funding (as the Game & Fish Heritage Fund continues to be funded) would provide a consistent, steady financial stream to meet the great demand for improvements to our parks, historic sites, trails, and environmental education.
Support enactment of a state historic tax credit, complementing the federal historic tax credit, to encourage private investment in the reuse of historic buildings, promote investment in local economies, and increase the amount of federal investment in rehabilitation. Arizona is one of 12 states and territories without such a state historic tax credit.
Identify and codify in statute a sustainable funding source for the important work of the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office
Prioritize the adaptive reuse of buildings (historic and non-historic) in competitive Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) awards and other affordable housing incentives
REGIONAL
Support the designation of U.S. Route 80 as a Historic Arizona Road. In 2018 the historic alignment of Route 80 was designated by the Arizona State Transportation Board unanimously. Preservation advocates have worked to secure formal support from the numerous municipalities and counties along the route. A “boost” from elected state officials would be greatly appreciated.
Re-establish the Arizona Main Street Program. Every community and commercial district is different, with its own distinctive assets and sense of place. The Main Street approach offers community-based revitalization initiatives with a practical, adaptable framework for transformation that is easily tailored to local conditions.
Remove the last remaining Confederate memorial on public property at the Southern Arizona Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Sierra Vista
CAPITAL CITY (PHOENIX)
Fund the rehabilitation of historic buildings and structures at the Arizona State Fairgrounds, including the 1938 WPA Administration Building, and consider other recommendations outlined in the Arizona Exposition & State Fair Charrette, March 8-11, 2018
Develop a plan for the use and activation of vacant and underutilized buildings in the Capitol Mall complex, including the 1893 Evans House, 1908 Carnegie Library, 1921 El Zaribah Shrine Auditorium/Polly Rosenbaum Building, and 1930 Agriculture Building
Develop a plan for the rehabilitation and use of historic buildings at the Arizona State Hospital, including the 1911 Mahoney Building and 1963 Chapel
If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions about the Foundation’s public policy recommendations, please feel free to send us a note.
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