Wildflower lovers might want to plan a farewell visit to Picacho Peak State Park this spring - even if it's not a banner year for blooms.
The park, a mecca for fans of wildflower color, is scheduled to close June 3 - and officials don't know when, or if, it will reopen.
Picacho Peak, about 40 miles northwest of Tucson, is one of 13 state parks slated for closure in a phased sequence from Feb. 22 to June 3.
Other Southern Arizona parks closing their gates are Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park, Roper Lake State Park and Lost Dutchman State Park.
The reason: a budget shortfall of $8.6 million.
"Voting to close these parks was one of the hardest moments of my life," said Reese Woodling, a Tucson resident and chairman of the Arizona State Parks Board. "I love Arizona and I love our parks. To see this happening just makes me sick to my stomach."
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Today, we offer a quick-look guide to which parks are closing and when - along with a glance ahead at some possible ways of getting parks reopened.
more details on parks that will close, page A4
Parks scheduled to close
Five of the soon-to-close parks are in areas surrounding Tucson. Another, Oracle State Park near Oracle, closed last year and is to remain closed. Here's what we'll lose:
• Closure date: March 29
The park, in the community of Tubac south of Tucson, takes visitors back in time - way back. It preserves the ruins of the oldest Spanish presidio site in Arizona, San Ignacio de Tubac, dating to 1752.
• Closure date: March 29
The 12,000-square-foot courthouse, built in 1882, is now a museum with exhibits on the history of Tombstone as a frontier mining boomtown. For many visitors, it's a refreshingly authentic take on Tombstone - known for its faux gunfights and over-the-top portrayals of Western life.
• Closure date: March 29
The park southeast of Safford has a 30-acre lake, swimming beach, boat ramp, natural stone hot tub, picnic tables and grills, camping cabins and campgrounds.
• Closure date: June 3
Named for a legendary lost gold mine in the Superstition Mountains, the park east of Phoenix is known for its colorful wildflower displays, hiking trails and scenic campsites.
• Closure date: June 3
Vast carpets of brilliant wildflower displays are only part of Picacho's appeal. It's also popular with hikers who come for the challenge of ascending the steep, rugged peak that overlooks Interstate 10.
• Closed last year as a result of previous budget cuts.
The park, in mountain foothills near Oracle north of Tucson, has hiking trails winding through desert grasslands and oak woodlands. It also preserves a Mediterranean-style ranch house that's listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Parks elsewhere in the state that are to be closed in the coming months include Homolovi Ruins State Park near Winslow, Lyman Lake State Park near St. Johns, Riordan Mansion State Historic Park in Flagstaff, Fort Verde State Historic Park in Camp Verde, Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park, Tonto Natural Bridge State Park near Payson, Alamo Lake State Park near Wenden and Red Rock State Park near Sedona.
Parks that will remain open
Nine state parks will remain open "because they generate more money than they need to stay in operation," said State Parks spokeswoman Ellen Bilbrey. The nine include these three parks in Southern Arizona:
• Catalina State Park north of Tucson
• Kartchner Caverns State Park near Benson
• Patagonia Lake State Park near Patagonia
Save-the-parks strategies
The state parks department is pursuing several possible means of reopening parks as soon as possible, said Jay Ream, assistant state parks director, and spokeswoman Ellen Bilbrey. Among them:
• Seeking financial aid from communities. Many of the communities near parks "recognize the importance of the park to the town's economy as a tourism draw," Ream said. Some communities are considering ponying up money to pay for park staff and services to keep parks open.
• Supporting proposed legislation that would allocate some money from license plate fees to help operate parks.
• Asking legislators to authorize turning over some state Heritage Fund money to park operations.
For more information
More information on parks and closures is at www.azstateparks.com.
Did you know
Arizona State Parks, in addition to operating the parks, oversees a state trails program, outdoor-related grants program, the state Historic Preservation Office and an off-highway-vehicle program.
Contact reporter Doug Kreutz at dkreutz@azstarnet.com or at 573-4192.
