Benefactors of Red Rock State Park

City Council, at their May 6 Budget Meeting, voted to award Benefactors $15,000 to help keep the Park open.

The Benefactors’ request for $20,000 was the last item on the agenda, but it was as thoroughly discussed and weighed against this year’s City budget constraints as the many preceding requests for financial aid had been. First, 5 councilors voted to fund the request at 100%, i.e., $20,000. But the Mayor dissented and suggested $8,000. The Council then settled at $15,000 and the Benefactors are very grateful! Another step closer to keeping the Park open till July1 2011!

Please contact the City Council members and thank them for supporting the Benefactors in their efforts to keep Red Rock State Park open!

Please also contact the incoming council members and ask them to confirm the award in their June 10 Budget meeting!

The award is important because it is an acknowledgment by the Council that the Park is a valuable asset to the city of Sedona.

How Can You Help Now?

Immediately:The Benefactors have applied to Coconino County for $20,000 in aid to help keep the Park open. Please email Supervisor Matt Ryan, District 3, to let him know the Park means a lot to you and that it is important for the City that it remains open. Mention also that a lot of school children from Flagstaff come to participate in the Park’s school program. Thank you!

Day-in-the-Park Fundraiser was Huge Success!

Day-in-the-Park visitors gather on the Visitor Center's roof top for a guided nature hike.

The Benefactors thank all those volunteers who made the April 17 fund-raising event A Day in the Park such a success! Over 500 people came that day to enjoy the talks and the guided tours, the presentations on owls and bats, the so appropriate songs delivered by Hank Levine at the Visitor Center Ramada, the Silent-Auction and Raffle displays, the Park Manager’s Special lunch at the Twin Cypress Ramada with delightful music and harmonies by Wendy, Pam and Sarah! The Benefactors raised about $15,000 that day!! Many businesses, Benefactors, Volunteers and other individuals donated items to the auction and raffle. With their help and that of those who bought at the auction and raffle, or made a donation, we took a long step towards keeping the Park open! Our special thanks to the New Frontiers Natural Foods store in Sedona for donation of natural beef and vegetarian burgers for the Park Manager’s Special lunch.

Ongoing: The Magazine Arizona Highways will donate $5 for each $24 subscription to the magazine for the State Park of your choice! Please consider gift subscriptions to your family and friends and designate Red Rock State Park as your choice!

The long-term solution is permanent funding by the State of Arizona – funding that is voter-protected. The legislature in this session has failed to pass a bill that would achieve that. The only bill, HB2599, that would have provided protected funding and that would have required that voters approve it, was killed by Rep John Kavanagh, chairman of the Appropriations committee, but not putting it on the Committee’s agenda.

HB2464, which would have devastated AZ State Parks by forcing the agency to lease its most profitable state Park, Lake Havasu State Park, to the city of Havasu for $50,000 annually for 25 years, when the expected net revenue for that Park is $400,000 to $500,000, was finally killed in the Senate on April 28, even after numerous amendments still on 4-27. A big Thank You to everyone who called their Senator to vote against this bill. And please thank Senator Steven Pierce for having voted against it!

November Ballot Question
In November, voters will be asked to approve Governor Brewer’s request to sweep all $100 Million from the Land Conservation Fund into the State’s General Fund. The Land Conservation (or Smart Growth) Fund was established for purchasing State Trust Land for conservation purposes. And although the fund itself could not be used for State Parks operations, the interest of the fund, about $1 million, could, and it had been a significant source of revenue for State Parks. This $1 million had been swept by the state in 2010. Elimination of the Fund altogether, and thereby of the interest, by sweeping it into the State’s General Fund, will further cripple State Parks. Please remember to vote AGAINST this sweep and elimination of the Fund during the November election. In the meantime share with your neighbors and friends how a YES vote on this ballot question would negatively impact State Parks.

For future legislative sessions, establish an account that allows you to directly sign in on bills that are up in Committee! Ask Sandy Bahr to set up an account for you. Just email her a user name and a password that you would like to use with the request to set up an account for you: sandybahr@sierraclub.org

Welcome to the Benefactors of Red Rock State Park

THE BENEFACTORS OF RED ROCK STATE PARKis a private charitable organization formed to provide financial and other support to Red Rock State Park. It is independent of, but coordinates closely with, the Park.

RED ROCK STATE PARK, located in Sedona, Arizona is unique in its emphasis on environmental education for children and adults. It also provides visitors with a variety of red rock experiences and acts to protect and conserve a unique riparian habitat.

THE BENEFACTORS PORTAL (under construction) leads to a selected compilation of scientific writings with special emphasis on Sedona area flora, fauna, archeology, and geology, combined with analysis of global trends which may be affecting our environment.

Red Rock State Park will Stay Open!
Watch for More News Soon!

We still need your financial support! Please donate.

Next Benefactors' Board Meeting:
Thursday May 20, 9:00 am
Black Hawk Room, Visitor Center, Red Rock State Park.
All Benefactors members welcome!

How Can You Help Now?

Day-in-the-Park Fundraiser was Huge Success!

Welcome to the Benefactors of Red Rock State Park