Hopi tribe donation reopens Homolovi ruins for visitors

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[Source: Jim Cross, KTAR.com]

Photo from Arizona State Parks.

Another one of Arizona’s state parks that has been closed because of the budget crisis is set for its grand reopening on March 18.

The Hopi tribe paid the state to reopen Arizona’s first archaeological state park, says Arizona State Parks Director Renee Bahl. “We entered into a very special agreement with the Hopi tribe – the first of its kind – where the tribe is paying us to reopen the park. They’re paying our operating costs there to the tune of $175,000 for 12 months.”

The Homolovi ruins, near Winslow, are home to ancestral Hopi villages.

At one point two-thirds of Arizona’s parks were on the chopping block and now only two remain closed – Lyman Lake near St. Johns and Oracle in the Tucson area.

“Lyman Lake is closed but we are working on an agreement with the county to reopen it this summer. For the cities and counties, in particular, it’s really important to have those parks open to the local economy,” says Bahl.

She says the March 18 reopening of Homolovi Park will feature lectures, traditional Hopi dances and you can learn much more about the history of the Hopi tribe.

Accomplishments of the Arizona Heritage Alliance 2010-2011

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  • In the spring of 2009 and again in 2010, we arranged a trip to the Vermilion Cliffs in Marble Canyon to spend time with a biologist from the Peregrine Fund to get an up close and personal glimpse of the free flying California Condors, an Arizona Heritage Fund project.

 

  • In spring 2010, we were invited by the Director of the Arizona Lottery to assist with the reauthorization of the Lottery at the Legislature. We also worked with the League of Arizona Cities and Towns in this endeavor.

 

  • Also in 2010, in collaboration with the film’s producers, we organized screenings of the documentary, Postcards From The Parks, in Flagstaff, Tempe and Tucson. The film’s goal is to spread the word about the challenges of our State Parks, and to encourage other Arizonans who care about history, our natural treasures, and the outdoors to get involved. After the film’s viewing at these three a facilitated discussion and question and answer period will be was led by Vincent Murray, a historian with Arizona Historical Research, in cooperation with the filmmakers and other parks advocates.  An invitation to all local elected officials was made to these events. They were free and open to the public.

 

  • We also arranged to have the film shown at the 2010 Arizona Preservation Foundation Conference in Flagstaff; the 2010 Arizona Highways Travel Show in Phoenix and the 2010 Arizona Parks and Recreation Association Conference in Paradise Valley.

 

  • In 2011, we were instrumental in getting the strike-everything amendment, HB2425 – Heritage Fund; Reinstatement, introduced in the House of Representatives. This Bill would put the State Parks Heritage Fund back into statute. The Bill passed unanimously out of the Agriculture & Water Committee.

 

  • We continue to expand partnerships with historic preservation groups, Arizona League of Cities and Towns and other appropriate organizations.

Accomplishments of the Arizona Heritage Alliance 2008-2009

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  • For 2007-2008, the Arizona Heritage Alliance Board initiated a visionary project of a more protected and additive funding concept for both Arizona State Parks and the Arizona Game and Fish Department. We engaged a public dialogue, with the goal of a consensus among the parties. A Heritage Fund 2 Working Group was formed from this initial meeting and met several times.

 

  • This same working group designed a simple Pledge for our Arizona lawmakers in 2008. Our Legislators’ Pledge on behalf of the Heritage Fund is an investment in safe playground equipment for our children; new parks and trails; the reintroduction of endangered species into Arizona; the restoration of historic buildings; and the conservation of wild and open spaces and critical habitat for wildlife.

 

  • Commencing in 2009, the Arizona Heritage Alliance Board in collaboration with the Arizona Preservation Foundation and Sierra Club, Grand Canyon Chapter composed a sign-on letter to our Legislators to protect the Heritage Fund. We solicited over 175 organizations concerned with parks, trails, wildlife and habitat; tribes; cities/towns/counties; parks & rec departments; schools; businesses; and more.

 

  • We hosted the event, Papago’s Past, Present & Future, at the Arizona Historic Preservation Conference in June 2009. We provided a lively presentation and enriching experience which included a discussion on the historic significance of Papago Park and the importance of the Heritage Fund to Arizona’s wildlife, habitat and special places.

 

  • Also at the Arizona Historic Preservation Conference in 2009, we organized a panel discussion regarding the future of the Heritage Fund. The panel included: Anthony Verrkamp of the National Trust for Historic Preservation; Bonnie Bariola, Florence Preservation Foundation; Renee Bahl, Director of Arizona State Parks; and the Honorable Kyrsten Sinema, LD15 Arizona House of Representatives.

 

Accomplishments of the Arizona Heritage Alliance 2004-2007

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  • We are always expanding outreach through increased public event participation such as the Arizona Open Space Conference; the Arizona Parks and Recreation Conference: the Arizona Highways Travel Show; the Arizona Preservation Foundation Conference; Valley Forward’s Earthfest Educator’s Night; Sunland Village East Discover Arizona Event; and the Environmental Legislative Day at the State Capitol.
  • We met and exceeded a fundraising challenge grant in 2005, 2006, and 2007.
  • We held special meetings with the leadership of three Arizona communities, Coolidge, Florence and Camp Verde, recipients of millions of dollars of Heritage Fund grants.
  • In 2004, we developed a partnership with the Arizona Parks and Recreation Association and still work with them to promote the importance of the State Parks Heritage Fund.
  • In 2005, we presented Governor Janet Napolitano with our The Heritage Guardian Award for her veto of SB1067 appropriation which would have removed $1.6 million from the Arizona Game and Fish Fund.
  • In November 2006, we celebrated the 17th birthday of the Arizona Heritage Fund with a walking tour of historic downtown Florence and luncheon at McFarland State Park. Guests included representatives from Arizona Game & Fish Commission and staff; representatives from the Arizona Lottery, Arizona State Parks, as well as elected officials from Pinal County and the Town of Florence.
  • In August 2007, the Arizona Heritage Alliance put together a “Call To Action”. Seventy-four people attended this workshop representing over twenty agencies, cities, regional governments, organizations, and individuals.