Old Dominion Park Opens Saturday

The Old Dominion Historic Mine Park opens to the public on Saturday at 10:am.

Walking trails will lead walkers past foundations and remaining structures, with interpretive signage describing the function and history of the site. The site is family-friendly with wide trails, shaded benches and a large picnic ramada.

A “boneyard” has old mining equipmnt on display with signs to explain how the equipment was used.

The park is open through the cooperative efforts of BHP Copper and the City of Globe. The amenities were built with their generosity, along with several donors who are recognized at the park.

Round Mountain Park Closed Next Week

The City of Globe announces that Round Mountain Hiking Park will be closed next week from Monday (August 22) through Wednesday (August 25). The City will be doing safety remediation work near the established trail system.. No public access will be allowed for any reason.

The park is tentatively scheduled to reopen Thursday morning unless otherwise posted at the park entrance.

Old Dominion Park and Mining Rocks Festival

A formal dedication program for the Old Dominion Historic Mine Park will take place Saturday at Noon. The park is not quite ready for a full opening but you’ll be able to see the amenities, interpretive signage and several hiking trails.

The Mining Rocks Festival follows the dedication from 1 to 5:pm. Exhibits from mining companies, community agencies, food booths and games are planned. Several of the walking trails will be open and you can either walk the trails yourself or be part of a guided walking tour.

There is no admission charge.

Magazine and Parks Form Partnership

Arizona Highways magazine and Arizona State Parks—both state-owned institutions—have formed a partnership to survice funding cuts.

Throughout the next year, for every $24 subscription to Arizona Highways, $5 will go to the State Parks Foundation. When you subscribe you can choose which park your $5 will support.

An important benefit of this program is that the funds cannot be cut or redirected by the state Legislature. The $5 contributions go directly to the Parks Foundation—a separate non-profit organization.

Free Admission to National Parks Over MLK Weekend

Admission to all 394 National Parks will be free over the Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday weekend, January 15 through 17. Park admission will also be free on 15 other days in 2011. These include National Park Week, April 16 to 24; the first day of summer on June 21; Public Lands Day on September 24; and Veterans Day weekend November 11-13.

Other parks related fees—such as for camping and tours—will still be inforce.
There are two more fee free days this year than last year. And the Park service is encouraging concessionaires to offer additional discounts on those days.

AZ Panel to Recommend More Privatization

KPHO in Phoenix reports that members of a state commission say they expect to recommend that Arizona privatize at least some state parks and increase the number of private prisons.

Gov. Jan Brewer formed the Commission of Privatization and Efficiency earlier this year. It submitted a preliminary report a few months ago but is preparing a larger report that is due December 31.