House Engrossed

State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-third Legislature Second Regular Session 2018

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 2019

 

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 

honoring arizona state parks and trails on being named by the national recreation and park association as the winner of the gold medal award in the state parks category.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 

Whereas, the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) presents the Gold Medal Award each year to honor communities throughout the United States that demonstrate excellence in long-range planning, resource management and innovative approaches to delivering superb parks and recreation services with fiscally sound business practices; and

Whereas, at the beginning of each calendar year, agencies are invited to submit applications for consideration. Finalists are announced at the end of April, and the grand award recipients are announced at the NRPA annual conference in the fall; and

Whereas, a panel of five parks and recreation professionals reviews and judges all application materials. Judges are chosen for their considerable experience and knowledge in parks and recreation on both local and national levels; and

Whereas, on March 12, 2017, Arizona State Parks and Trails (ASPT) submitted its application for the NRPA Gold Medal Award as the Best Managed State Park System in the United States; and

Whereas, on September 26, 2017, at the annual NRPA Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, in front of six thousand parks professionals and a live national audience, ASPT was named the winner of this year's Gold Medal Award in the state parks category; and

Whereas, under a new state governor and new agency executive director, ASPT has experienced record attendance and revenue growth in the last three years and has begun expanding the state parks system for the first time in more than 18 years; and

Whereas, in fiscal year 2017, attendance at ASPT's 35 parks and natural areas topped nearly three million visitors, with record revenues of nearly $18 million; and

Whereas, three new state parks are planned across the state, including Havasu Riviera State Park, Cattail Cove State Park and Rockin' River Ranch State Park. Last year, ASPT dedicated the Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park in Yarnell to honor the 19 hotshots who perished there in June 2013. Since opening to the public, the park has received more than 21,000 visitors from around the world; and

Whereas, each year, more than half a million visitors enjoy the beautiful waters of Lake Havasu State Park and explore Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon at Red Rock and Slide Rock State Parks; and

Whereas, five parks across the state offer a total of 32 camping cabins, with 100 more cabins planned for installation over the next year; and

Whereas, the executive director and staff of Arizona State Parks and Trails are to be commended for their hard work, collaboration and innovation in establishing and maintaining stellar recreational and historical areas and facilities for this state's citizens and tourists to enjoy.

Therefore

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona, the Senate concurring:

That the Members of the Legislature recognize Arizona State Parks and Trails on receiving the Gold Medal Award and extend their appreciation to Executive Director, Sue Black, and the ASPT staff for their tremendous efforts in achieving this honor.