In response to Arizona’s $1.6 billion deficit, the Arizona State Parks Board (ASPB) decided on Feb. 20 to close two state parks.  Many others will receive a drop in funds, and may be closed in FY 2009, including Flagstaff’s Riordan Mansion.

These parks cost too much to maintain compared to what tourism and other outlets bring in financially.

Bill Meek, the president of the Arizona State Parks Foundation, said with the obvious need for cuts throughout the state, it was a foregone conclusion that parks would be affected.

“It was pretty apparent that (they) could not make it through the year with the money that they have,” Meek said. “(Because) we face the same problems as the universities, it is just as hard to get away from the legislature.”

Kendra Stoks, a volunteer for more than two years at Riordan Mansion, said this time of uncertainty has been hard on all those involved with Arizona state parks.

Riordan Mansion was built as a home in 1904 by Michael and Timothy Riordan, who played a significant role in the development of Flagstaff and northern Arizona. - Jen Merrill/ The Lumberjack

“It is a scary time right now,” Stoks said. “State parks mean a lot to Arizona. We are all still shocked about (potentially) losing that little piece of history.”

Riordan Mansion, a mainstay in the Flagstaff community since its construction in 1904, is partly responsible for the growth of the city in the early 1900s.

Michael and Tim Riordan arrived in Flagstaff in the late 1800s, when the community was only a stop for trains in need of refueling. The brothers had Riordan Mansion built in 1904 on top of Kinlichi Knoll, which lies on the outskirts of NAU’s campus.

The brothers went on to help open the city’s first school system, bank and lumber mill. 

Due to the Riordan brothers’ aid in Flagstaff’s development, the mansion became a state park in 1978 before opening to the public in 1983.

“The Riordan brothers brought so much to Flagstaff,” Stoks said. “(If closed), people will not know how the Riordans helped the city.”

State parks are not the only areas that may see a drop in state funding. Smaller programs, including off-highway roads and hiking trails, may also see a drop in funds.

The state normally works with smaller, local agencies on issues pertaining to specific communities, including upkeep of hiking trails. With the proposed budget cuts, those smaller programs could be eliminated entirely.

“(They will) basically go out of existence,” Meek said. “This budget situation is so bad; there will be cuts all across the system.”

Even with these proposals, the ASPB maintains that once the crisis has passed, they would like to reopen the closed parks as soon as possible.

“If the park’s board is forced to close, it hurts them,” Meek said. “They will come back and alter those situations as soon as they can.”

As more information has been released concerning the proposals, public reaction — primarily against the closures — has grown, which Meek said is surprising.

“In the mix of outcry from universities, it is kind of amazing that people are paying attention to parks, but they are,” Meek said. “It is gaining a lot of attention.”

Ellen Bilbrey, a public information officer for Arizona State Parks, said the benefits parks provide show why people feel as passionately as they do.

“People can really love their state and local parks,” Bilbrey said. “Parks not only 
improve the quality of life for local residents, but also provide unique destinations for travelers from around the world.” 

Consequently, Riordan Mansion has already seen an increased number of visitors within the past few weeks, primarily from NAU students who did not know of its existence prior to the announcement of its potential closing.

Stoks said people often feel surprised having not seen it before, especially with the importance it holds not only for Flagstaff, but for other parks throughout the state.

“They want to see the house before they lose the chance,” Stoks said. “It is a hidden treasure. To lose it, you are losing Arizona’s history.”