Payson Roundup

After an emotional six hour State Parks meeting at the Phoenix Zoo Friday, officials decided to go ahead with staff recommendations to close most of the state’s 28 parks.

Tonto Natural Bridge is among those slated to close later this year if Payson cannot find a way to take over operation and funding of the world’s largest travertine arch.

“It is a sad, dark day when this is the message we send to the residents of the Grand Canyon state,” said State Parks Executive Director Renee Bahl, who spoke to the Roundup after the meeting.

Bahl said they had no other option to close the parks after a legislative special session swept most of the agency’s state park funds.

Ellen Bilbrey, chief public information officer with the state parks, said 100 people attended Friday’s meeting, most choosing to address the board for an allotted three minutes. Although the meeting started at 10 a.m., by 1 p.m., the first agenda item had not been discussed because of audience comments.

Bahl explained that certain parks were closed and not others based not on their intrinsic value but solely on financial reasons.

There is hope Payson could take over management of the bridge. Before the meeting, Payson Mayor Kenny Evans said he expected the parks board will vote to close down Tonto Natural Bridge in June, but also hoped the board would authorize a new round of negotiations with the town to come up with a plan to keep the site open.

Read Tuesday’s Roundup for more information on this developing story.