It is hard to believe that the Arizona parks department would consider closing an important heritage site such as Yuma Territorial Prison State Park. Their primary concern is not for the historic importance but cutting their budget.
I suggest the city of Yuma offer to purchase this site for the sum of $1. The city would agree never to sell or lease this site or change the zoning to commercial or residential. The city of Yuma would commit to ensuring that any changes or improvements to buildings or property would maintain historical integrity. The property would belong in perpetuity to the citizens of Yuma.
This would immediately solve the state's monetary concerns and relieve them of being responsible for the future integrity of this wonderful heritage site.
The city of Yuma would have pride of ownership, as well as a world-class tourist stop.
It would need to be promoted - and new ideas are welcome. How about designing original prison guard uniforms for employees, doing newspaper advertising, installing a cannon to be fired daily when opening and using highway roadside advertising boards?
We should never allow this historical site to be closed.
I suggest the city of Yuma offer to purchase this site for the sum of $1. The city would agree never to sell or lease this site or change the zoning to commercial or residential. The city of Yuma would commit to ensuring that any changes or improvements to buildings or property would maintain historical integrity. The property would belong in perpetuity to the citizens of Yuma.
This would immediately solve the state's monetary concerns and relieve them of being responsible for the future integrity of this wonderful heritage site.
The city of Yuma would have pride of ownership, as well as a world-class tourist stop.
It would need to be promoted - and new ideas are welcome. How about designing original prison guard uniforms for employees, doing newspaper advertising, installing a cannon to be fired daily when opening and using highway roadside advertising boards?
We should never allow this historical site to be closed.
1 comment:
Please note that State Parks is NOT closing the prison until March 29, so don't pass up a chance to visit in the meantime.
The Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area is already making plans to "save the prison" by pledging $50,000 toward operating costs, and rallying the community to raise another $50,000.
The Heritage area already operates one state park - the Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park - by agreement with the City Yuma (which leased the park from the state).
If you want to help, call Susan Sternitzke at 928-782-5712 or email susans@yumaheritage.com.
Ann from Yuma
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