Florence

More Arizona state parks eyed for closure

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Tonto Natural Bridge State Park added to closure list.

[Source: Associated Press] — Three more state parks are being considered for closure because of state budget cuts, bringing to 11 the number that could be shuttered in coming weeks.  Parks Director Ken Travous told The Associated Press on Wednesday that he is adding the three additional parks to a list of eight others previously identified as being considered for closure.

Travous identified the three as Red Rock State Park in Sedona, Jerome State Historic Park in Jerome, and Tonto National Bridge State Park near Payson.  Jerome State Historic Park centers on the Douglas Mansion, a landmark built in the former mining community that overlooks the Verde Valley.  Red Rock State Park, originally part of a ranch, is a 286-acre nature preserve and environmental education center.  Tonto Bridge is a natural geological feature located in a valley in pine country below the Mogollon Rim.

The state Parks Board will meet Friday in Peoria to consider cost-cutting measures that include park closures, seasonal closures and reduced hours of operations.  Other options include grant cancellations, shifting expenses to other accounts, and layoffs and unpaid time off for employees.  The board on Feb. 3 declined to take immediate action on park closures but voted to have Travous’ department proceed with planning possible economy moves, including alternatives to closures.

Travous said he has already effectively laid off approximately 65 seasonal employees, including some who had been slated to go on the payroll but now will not.  Parks previously identified as being considered for closure were: Fort Verde State Historic Park in Camp Verde, Homolovi Ruins State Park in Winslow, Lyman Lake State Park in Springerville, McFarland State Historic Park in Florence, Oracle State Park in Oracle, Riordan Mansion State Historic Park in Flagstaff, Tubac Presidio State Historic Park in Tubac, and Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park.  Travous said those were chosen for possible closure because of low visitation rates.  [Note: To read the full article, click here.]

McFarland State Historic Park could face budget ax

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Ernest McFarland
Ernest W. McFarland, U.S. Senator, Governor, & Arizona Supreme Court Justice

[Source: Lindsey Collom, Arizona Republic] — McFarland State Historic Park in Florence was closed last week in anticipation of structural repairs, but if and when those repairs occur is up for debate.  The Arizona State Parks Board will meet in a regular board meeting Feb. 20 to discuss how to address a deficit created when lawmakers “swept” funds to help close a state budget shortfall. The deficit has threatened the closure of eight parks across Arizona — McFarland included.  Board members plan to discuss options in lieu of shut downs and take action during its board meeting.

According to a board agenda posted Wednesday, measures could include park closures; reduced park hours; hiring freezes; salary reductions; layoffs; and grant suspension. They will also explore alternative funding sources.  But hope may be in sight: Republican lawmakers on Tuesday moved to keep state parks open by taking $20 million from a land conservation fund.  The proposal faces a vote by the Rules Committee before going to the full House, where it would need three-quarters of the vote to pass.  

McFarland State Historic Park includes Arizona’s oldest standing courthouse and is also the largest adobe structure from the territorial period.  The park sits on the northern edge of Florence’s historic Main Street and draws about 5,000 annual visitors. [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.]

Arizona’s McFarland State Historic Park closes

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McFarland State Historic Park, Florence

[Source: Arizona State Parks] — Pinal County’s first courthouse, built in 1878, has been slowly deteriorating since 2001 while Arizona State Parks has saved Heritage Fund monies to get the building repaired.  Today all the buildings at the park closed in anticipation of the re-opening to the public. Structural stabilization of the historic adobe foundation had been slated for completion in 2009.  “Unfortunately in recent years, the structural damage from rain has been so bad that we had to close the historic courthouse last October and staff started dismantling the exhibits in preparation of the renovations,” explained Chief of Operations, Janet Hawks.  “We have been saving funds in the account so that we could finally repair the rock foundation, wide cracks in the adobe walls, crumbling wood porch, add support beams, and grade the site to prevent further destruction.  The deterioration of the foundation poses a threat to the building.  We sent bids for construction out last fall, but now everything is on hold until after our February 20th Board meeting,” she said.

Governor Ernest McFarland bought the Courthouse in 1974 and donated it to the State Parks department.  Another facility behind the Courthouse was built later as a repository for his personal papers.  In 1976 the state legislature did not allocate operating funds so the new Park’s opening date was pushed back.  It wasn’t until March of 1977, during Arizona’s 20th anniversary, that McFarland State Park was opened to the public and later dedicated by Governor Bruce Babbitt.

For 32 years tourists and busloads of children have toured this State Park to experience Arizona’s history and learn how territorial justice was served.  They also were taught about Florence’s World War II POW camps and about one of Arizona’s visionary’s, Governor McFarland, who created the State Parks system 52 years ago.  Interpretive tours of the park feature the courtroom and judge’s chambers, the sheriff’s office, and the jail.  The second story was used as a jury room and quarters for visiting lawmen.  Most of the courthouses’ artifacts were moved out just recently, including McFarland’s personal papers.  The papers will be transferred to the Arizona Library and Archives’ new state-of-the-art building in Phoenix where researchers will be able to more readily access them.  The park staff, who have been preparing for the renovation, will be reassigned to other parks.

A new interpretive plan will be introduced once the stabilization is completed.  The focus for the new exhibits in the Courthouse will feature Arizona’s Territorial history and law and order.  The 1882 jail will be reproduced within the courthouse building.  New updated exhibits about Governor “Mac” McFarland and the World War II Florence POW camp will be displayed in the renovated museum and archives buildings.