Arizona State Parks Board

Viewpoint: Good ideas, responsible cuts needed at Arizona State Parks

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Red Rock State Park Sedona Arizona
Red Rock State Park, Sedona

[Source: Camp Verde Bugle] — The Arizona State Parks Board meets again today to discuss shutting down or providing limited use of several parks.  With Parks Director Ken Travous’ latest suggestions for the closure list, there is a sense of machination or at least gamesmanship.  There has been enough waving of red flags.

The formula for shifting Red Rock State Park into the top five parks listed for closure (by considering only the percentage of visitors who are Arizona residents) is highly questionable.  The Sedona area is what it is — a very popular tourist destination for people all over the world.  It naturally follows that RRSP will be pulling in a majority of out-of-state visitors.  To wave the threat of closure at Red Rock is a great way to get Sedonans riled up and protesting the stinginess of the state Legislature.  It is certainly not responsible.  There are eight other state parks on the list that are harder on the State Parks budget than Red Rock is.

The suggested closure of Jerome State Historic Park and Tonto Natural Bridge State Park is only a good idea if it is temporary during repair work.  If “repair” closure is just a step toward permanent closure, that will only start a firestorm.

At its previous meeting, the State Parks Board had asked Travous to come up with more ideas other than shutting down parks.  If simply adding three more to the possible-closures list is all the director’s office came up with, the board needs to look in another direction.

Most residents of Arizona understand the current constraints on the state budget and the likelihood of more deficits and more cutting in the future.  State Parks will not avoid this.  Completely closing down some parks — especially those that are expensive to run and receive few visitors — is an understandable option if it is done responsibly.  Today, we hope the State Parks administration can look through the politicking and red flags and provide ideas of its own.

Agenda set for Feb. 20 Arizona State Parks Board; fate of 11 parks, grants & contracts up in the air

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Notice is hereby given to Members of the Arizona State Parks Board and the general public that the Board will hold a meeting, open to the public on Friday, February 20, 2009, at 9 a.m. in the Peoria City Council Chambers, 8401 W. Monroe Street, Peoria, AZ 85345.  The Board may elect to hold an Executive Session for any agendized item at any time during the meeting to discuss or consult with its legal counsel for legal advice on matters listed on this agenda. Items on the Agenda may be discussed out of order, unless those items are specifically noted and set for a time certain.  Public comment will be taken. The Board will discuss and may take action on the following matters.

AGENDA (items may be taken in any order unless set for a time certain)

A. CALL TO ORDER – ROLL CALL – 9 A.M.

B. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Upon a public majority vote, the Board may hold an Executive Session, which is not open to the public for the following purposes:

  1. To discuss or consult with its legal counsel for legal advice on matters listed on this agenda pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.03.A.3. (a) Ramifications of suspending grant contracts, (b) Ramifications of closing parks, deed restrictions, covenants.
  2. Discussions or consultations with designated representatives of the public body in order to consider its position and instruct its representatives regarding negotiations for the purchase, sale or lease of real property matters listed on this agenda pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.03.A.7. (a) Contact Point Recreation and Public Purpose Lease.
  3. To discuss or consider employment, assignment, appointment, promotion, demotion, dismissal, salary, discipline or resignation of a public officer, appointee or employee of any public body pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.03.A.1. (a) Hiring an Executive Director, (b) Personnel Actions, Including Lay-Offs, Reductions-In-Force, and Furloughs.

C. INTRODUCTIONS OF BOARD MEMBERS AND AGENCY STAFF

  1. Board Statement — “As Board members we are gathered to be the stewards and the voice of Arizona State Parks’ Mission Statement: Managing and Conserving Arizona’s Natural, Cultural, and Recreational Resources, Both In Our Parks and Through Our Partners for the Benefit of the People.”

D. CONSENT AGENDA – The following items of a non-controversial nature have been grouped together for a single vote without Board discussion.  The Consent Agenda is a timesaving device and Board members received documentation regarding these items prior to the open meeting.  Any Board member may remove any item from the Consent Agenda for discussion and a separate vote at this meeting, as deemed necessary.  The public may view the documentation relating to the Consent Agenda at the Board’s office: 1300 W. Washington, Suite 104, Phoenix, Arizona.

  1. Approve Minutes of January 9, 2009, Arizona State Parks Board meeting
  2. Approve Executive Session Minutes of January 9, 2009, Arizona State Parks meeting
  3. Approve Minutes of February 3, 2009, Arizona State Parks Board meeting

E. DISCUSSION ITEMS

  1. Discussion on Issuance of the Off Highway Vehicle Licenses by Motor Vehicle Division
  2. Composition of the Off Highway Vehicle Sub-Committee
  3. Contact Point request from Lake Havasu City regarding BLM lease
  4. Governor’s Task Force on Arizona State Parks
  5. Update on the hiring of the Executive Director
  6. Executive Director’s Hiring Subcommittee report
  7. Legislative Update
  8. Budget update on Fiscal Years 2009 and 2010
  9. Fiscal year 2009 Arizona State Parks Budget reduction measures – Including but not limited to; Park closures, reduction of park hours/days of operation, personnel actions, furloughs, reduced work schedules, hiring freezes, salary reductions, reductions in force for covered employees, layoffs for uncovered employees, reducing administrative expenses (Phoenix Office), suspension of grants and the legal ramifications, alternative funding including capital funds, Heritage Funds, Law Enforcement Boating Safety Fund, Off Highway Vehicle “sticker revenue”

F. BOARD ACTION ITEMS

  1. Appoint new members to the Off Highway Vehicle Advisory Group (OHVAG) – The committee recommends that the following two individuals be appointed to fill the vacancies on OHVAG: R. Hank Rogers and David L. Moore and that they each serve a three-year term beginning January 9, 2009.
  2. Contact Point – The Board will take action on Lake Havasu City’s request for approval of their application to the Bureau of Land Management.
  3. Fiscal year 2009 Budget revisions.  The Parks Board will take actions regarding the FY2009 budget.
  4. The Board may decide to take action regarding hiring an Executive Director.

G. PRESENTATIONS

  1. Morrison Institute – Grady Gammage, Jr.
  2. Recognition for Service
  3. 2009/2010 Budget Options

H. TIME AND PLACE OF NEXT MEETING AND CALL FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

  1. Staff recommends that the next Arizona State Parks Board Meeting be on April 3, 2009 at the Old City Hall of Yuma Council Chambers located at 180 W. First Street, Yuma, AZ.
  2. Board members may wish to discuss issues of interest to Arizona State Parks and request staff to place specific items on future Board meeting agendas.

I. CALL TO THE PUBLIC – Consideration and discussion of comments and complaints from the public.  Those wishing to address the Board must register at the door and be recognized by the Chair.  It is probable that each presentation will be limited to one person per organization. Action taken as a result of public comment will be limited to directing staff to study or reschedule the matter for further consideration at a later time.

J. ADJOURNMENT

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.

Viewpoint: Decision on Arizona state park closures in need of alternatives

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[Source: Dave D. White, associate professor of parks & recreation management, ASU School of Community Resources & Development, Arizona Republic] — Arizona has long been a land of opportunity and renewal.  This is a place where most people come from somewhere else.  We flock to Arizona to work; start a family; retire; enjoy the warm climate; and explore the beautiful deserts, forests, rivers and canyons.  In short, people value Arizona for the high quality of life that exists because of the foresight of those who fought to conserve our natural and cultural heritage by protecting special places such as Arizona State Parks.  These parks benefit all residents by providing recreation opportunities, conserving natural areas, spurring economic development, and preserving our history.

Now, massive budget cuts enacted by the state Legislature and governor threaten to force the permanent closure of almost one-third of all state parks.  The agency simply would have to lock the gates and walk away.  These cuts also would slash grants to local communities and end programs to teach our children about nature and history.

In a recent emergency meeting, the State Parks Board agreed to make these difficult choices during its regular meeting on Feb. 20.  This is a temporary pardon of the death penalty for up to eight state parks, and residents will have one last opportunity to speak up.  The proposed closures would disproportionately affect historic and cultural parks.  These places tell the stories of our pioneer past, our military history, tales of our founding families, and tales of our Native American ancestors.  These parks provide a link from the past to the present and teach us who we are and how we came to be here.

Some say the closures are justified by low visitation rates, poor fee receipts and crumbling infrastructure at these parks.  Certainly, we need to take a careful and thorough look at the state park system, including how the agency is funded, how much is charged to enter a park and what alternatives exist.  Some closures may be necessary.  However, this should be a deliberate and careful choice, not a knee-jerk decision forced upon us by Draconian midyear budget cuts.  Other possibilities — staff furloughs, seasonal closings, a hiring freeze, and limiting hours open to the public — are available to give the agency time to make more informed decisions about permanent closures.  Let’s show future generations that we measure quality-of-life results not only in economic terms, but also in social and environmental dimensions.