Arizona to close most state parks

January 16, 2010

In a scenario all too familiar to Californians, the state of Arizona has announced plans to close most of its state parks. [Los Angeles Times]

The Grand Canyon State, currently wrestling with a multibillion-dollar deficit, plans to close 13 parks by June, including Yuma Territorial Prison and the Tombstone Courthouse. Eight other parks have already been closed. The remaining 9 state parks will remain open–if the state parks board can raise $3 million this year.

The action by Arizona represents the largest closing of state parks in the nation. Park officials say that visitors number about 2.3 million per year, typically bringing $266 million into the state.

Last May, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger proposed closing 220 of California’s 278 state parks because of the deficit, but backed down after protests.

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