It is highly possible that the recently enacted fixes by state lawmakers create problems potentially worse than those they were designed to fix by eliminating state support for an important economic engine—the Arizona State Parks system.
Many would agree that it's a short-sighted mistake of epic proportions.
According to the Arizona Heritage Alliance, a group that advocates for Arizona State Parks, the system generates considerably more revenue for the state than it costs. They cite studies showing that more than 2.3 million people visit state parks annually and pump more than $266 million into the state economy while generating nearly $44 million in federal, state, and local taxes.
A recent budget bill mandates that money from the Heritage Fund be transferred to the state's general fund, where it would go toward filling the multi-billion dollar gap in the state's budget. Money from the Heritage Fund, which voters approved in 1990, comes from lottery ticket sales, $10 million of which are earmarked annually for the parks system. Most of that $10 million from the Heritage Fund supports projects well outside the scope of state parks, such as local neighborhood parks and aid to non-profit groups.
In addition to the elimination of Heritage funds, the legislature has shut down all general fund support for the parks system in the current and next budget years.
Continued budget cuts and funding sweeps have forced the layoff of hundreds of employees, the closure of numerous state parks, and limitations of the operating hours of others.
Tubac Presidio State Historic Park
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors agreed to assume operations of Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, the site of one of a few exisiting18th century Spanish settlements in Arizona. Although one of the lesser-visited sites among the state's assets, Tubac still saw about 13,000 visitors in fiscal 2008, according to parks department figures.
Analysis done by the Northern Arizona University W. A. Franke College of Business shows that the Tubac Presidio has a strong impact on the local economy. The study estimates that visitors to the park in 2007 pumped some $204,000 into the local economy. The study also estimates that tax proceeds from park visitors topped $30,000.
When you consider the visitors it draws to the county, it's a very positive economic factor to the community.
Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
The town of Payson has agreed to contribute $25,000 to keep Tonto Natural Bridge open to September 27. Nearly 88,000 people visited the Gila County attraction in 2007 and spent more than $3 million in the local economy, generating more than $414,000 in taxes.
Lost Dutchman State Park
Lost Dutchman State Park received $8,000 from a Texas visitor to keep the facility operational. This private contribution is enough to keep the park open for about a month.
Lost Dutchman had about 100,000 visitors in 2007 who spent as much as $3.3 million in the local economy, according to the NAU study. Park visitors paid nearly $600,000 in federal, state, and local taxes, the same study says.
More state parks on life support
Other local governments have entered into agreements with the parks board to operate nearby sites. As a result Fort Verde State Historic Park, Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park, Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park, and Riordan Mansion State Historic Park in Flagstaff, for remain open for now.
Other state parks haven't fared as well
Jerome State Historic Park, McFarland State Historic Park, Oracle State Park, Homolovi Ruins State Park, and Lyman Lake State Park all have closed in recent months.
More closures
Alamo Lake State Parks, Picacho Peak State Park, San Rafael State Natural Area, and Lost Dutchman State Park would likely close by June 3.
Concluding comments
Today’s editorial in The Arizona Republic, entitled ‘Losing the Cubs would prove an epic mistake,’ states, “Losing the Cubs to Florida would be a shortsighted mistake of epic proportions, especially (but hardly exclusively) for Mesa.”
Elected officials always seem to dig deep enough to find public money to build bigger and better facilities for professional sports teams whether it’s in Edmonton or Phoenix, Vancouver or Tucson. I would argue that the closing of nearby Lost Dutchman and other Arizona state parks and historic sites is much more of a tragedy than losing one spring training team.
Worth Pondering…
We have fallen heirs to the most glorious heritage a people ever received, and each one must do his part if we wish to show that the nation is worthy of its good fortune.
—President Theodore Roosevelt
Decide to make the most of each moment! Visit a state park today!
Say NO to State Park Closures
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Please note: This is Part 28 of an on-going series on America’s parks and public lands
Other articles in this series
RVing 101: Can Arizona state parks be saved from collapse?
RVing 101: Efforts under way to keep Arizona state parks open
RVing 101: More on Arizona state park closures
RVing 101: More on the status of state parks and public lands, part 12
RVing 101: More on the status of state parks and public lands, part 11
Snowbirding 101: Sonoran pronghorns make comeback, AZ
Read even more of Rex’s articles: All stories
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