Arizona, like California, has also made the short-sighted decision to close many of their state parks. Certainly, I don't understand this, when looking at the revenues, impact on potential tourism, loss of jobs, and reduced travel dollars to area small businesses.
Legends of America is planning to spend part of next winter in a warm place, but, guess what? Arizona and California are now off our list. While we are little more than a "blip" on the "tourism map" and don't cover the American West anywhere near as much as many full-time RV'ers, we can't write, nor promote those places, when we can't visit. And, we can complain, as we do have about 400,000 visitors strolling through the website every month. Guess we will be headed to Texas, which seems to be able to handle its finances.
The action shuts down some of Arizona's best Old West landmarks including the Tombstone Courthouse and the Yuma Territorial Prison, one of Yuma's most popular tourist destinations.
Parks will be closed in a phased sequence starting on February 22, 2010 and will include Homolovi Ruins State Park in Winslow, Lyman Lake State Park in St. Johns and Riordan Mansion State Historic Park in Flagstaff.
The next park closings will occur on March 29, 2010 and will include Fort Verde State Historic Park in Camp Verde, Roper Lake State Park in Safford, Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park, Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park and Tubac Presidio State Historic Park.
The final phased closings will occur on June 3, 2010 and will include Tonto Natural Bridge State Park near Payson, Alamo Lake State Park in Wenden, Lost Dutchman State Park in Apache Junction, Picacho Peak State Park and Red Rock State Park in Sedona.
Very, very sad, as this decision closes parks that attract tens of thousands of tourists a year.
***Update 5/19/10****
Arizona communities and government work together and get results.. Great Job in Keeping some open! http://azstateparks.com/press/2010/PR_05-19-10.html
