About Us
In the face of Arizona's sprawling growth and development, 30 exceptional places have been set aside over the past half century for the recreational, environmental and cultural enjoyment of Arizonans and all who visit our state.
The places are the lakes, rivers, historic buildings and rich natural areas that constitute Arizona State Parks - a collection of wonder-provoking sites that the Arizona State Parks Foundation (ASPF) seeks to preserve, promote and enhance.
Founded in June 2004 as an Arizona non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, Arizona State Parks Foundation (ASPF) offers the foremost way for parks patrons, visitors and friends to support and strengthen Arizona State Parks through:
- Advocacy
- Friend Building
- Fund Raising
ASPF serves as the foremost advocate for Arizona State Parks in government forums, at local community levels and through the media, cultivates and develops Affiliate Friends groups in communities where state parks are nearby, sponsors events to promote visitation of state parks , supports the exceptional state park volunteer programs, and provides the means by which the public can securely contribute financial support to these and other ASPF objectives.
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2012: ASPF's Year In Review
ASPF looks back on 2012 with gratitude for the generous support of those who contributed, monetarily and with their time, to our efforts on behalf of Arizona State Parks. ASPF's year started with uncertainty about what impacts the Arizona State Legislative session might have on Arizona State Parks. We hoped that our message trumpeting the $266 million impact that state parks has on the economy of Arizona would generate support of HB 2362, a measure introduced to establish the State Parks Revenue Fund and remove this particular fund from the appropriations process where recent devastating funding sweeps have occurred.
ASPF hosted a highly effective "Arizona State Parks Day at the Capitol" on February 21, 2012. Representatives of Arizona's business, environmental, historic preservation and outdoor recreation communities met with their legislative representatives in the Arizona House and Senate to discuss the quality of life and economic benefits gained by enabling Arizona State Parks to retain self-generated revenues including park gate fees, gift shop proceeds, donations and reservation surcharges.
While the Arizona State House of Representatives and Arizona Senate passed the measure overwhelmingly, Governor Brewer vetoed the bill. The final outcome: Through the state budgeting process, the State Parks Revenue Fund was established as a repository for the revenues noted above. However, the Fund was designated as an 'appropriated fund,' thereby making monies within the fund unprotected from legislative allocation to purposes other than Arizona State Parks. (This legislation protects only gate fees collected at state parks where Bureau of Land Management leases exist.)
The budget controversy spawned a citizens' initiative called the Arizona Natural Resources Protection Act, which, if approved by voters, would have provided a sustainable source of revenue for State Parks. The Parks Foundation supported the Act and recruited many other organizations to join in. However, when the Act was finalized, there was too little time left to gather the 172,800 signatures that were required by July 5 to get the measure on the 2012 general election ballot without a huge infusion of cash to pay signature gatherers. In the end, campaign volunteers gathered an impressive 116,000 signatures before time ran out. In addition, the campaign prompted significant media exposure and dialogue about the financial and physical condition of State Parks.
Throughout 2012, ASPF supported our affiliate Friends Groups in their fund raising and outreach efforts. In February, Friends of Lost Dutchman State Park conducted the Annual Harley Ride Benefitting Lost Dutchman State Park. In August, Friends of Tonto Natural Bridge State Park hosted the 1st Annual Taste at the Bridge, an event that enabled the purchase of roadside directional signage to the park at strategic locations in and around Payson, AZ and additional features within the park that will enhance the visitor experience. And, affiliate Friends of the Verde River Greenway have continued work, along with a variety of local, state and federal collaborators, on the Invasive Species Removal Initiative, a project funded with support from The Walton Family Foundation, The Arizona State Forrester, and the U.S. Forest Service, among others.
Corporate support from Arizona Public Service Co. and Salt River Project supported ASPF's marketing and outreach programs and enabled the purchase of in-stream flow monitoring equipment at key watershed locations along Oak Creek in Red Rock State Park and Slide Rock State Park and along the Verde River at Dead Horse Ranch State Park. Support from Union Pacific Railroad Foundation allowed ASPF to underwrite the cost of the annual re-enactment of Arizona's only Civil War battle, at Picacho Peak State Park.
Donations dedicated to specific park projects or programs enabled ASPF to fund a new children's play area at Lyman Lake and contribute start-up support to the newly established Friends of Catalina State Park.
The annual Bashas' Charitable Giving Campaign directed support in April 2012 to Arizona's Parklands benefiting Arizona State Parks Foundation, Friends of Coconino County Parks, and the Maricopa Trail and Parks Foundation.
The Arizona Highways "Save Our State Parks" Campaign, a program through which new Arizona Highways Magazine subscribers could support the Arizona State Park of their choice, was coordinated by Arizona State Parks Foundation and supported Friends of Slide Rock State Park, Benefactors of Red Rock State Park, Hold the Fort, Friends of Oracle State Park, Friends of Kartchner Caverns State Park, Riordan Action Network, Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Park, Yuma Territorial Prison State Park, Friends of Lost Dutchman State Park, Friends of Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, and Friends of Roper Lake State Park.
What does ASPF do?
Arizona State Parks Foundation supports the park system through advocacy, friend building and fund raising. Since 2004, ASPF, independently and together with our affiliates, has directed more than $750,000 toward support of programs, independent studies, special events, park operations and various park capital projects to Arizona State Parks and various state park Friends groups. Four Friends groups, volunteer organizations that form to support their local state park, operate as Affiliates of ASPF supporting the Verde River Greenway, Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, Lost Dutchman State Park, and Roper Lake State Park. ASPF has led efforts to inform and educate members of the Arizona State Legislature and key stakeholders on the beneficial impacts state parks have on the Arizona economy and, further, played a key role in averting misguided efforts to privatize your state park system.