Letter from YCNHA Interim & Past Executive Director, Charles Flynn
With Lowell Perry Jr.’s retirement, the Board of Directors asked me to come back for an interim period to help the process moving forward. I am confident with a strong Board and a very committed and competent staff, the future will be bright.
Let me share my thoughts on the past and future of the Heritage Area, first by “strolling down memory lane”.
I began as the founding Director of the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area more than 20 years ago. When I arrived, people in Yuma were starving (or should I say, thirsting) for a connection to the Colorado River. I had guided other riverfront redevelopment projects around the country and discovered two things: 1) In the 19th and 20th Centuries, cities used their rivers for transportation and dumping effluent. They built highways, railroad tracks, and water treatment plants—cutting people off from the river. 2) After the passage of the Clean Water Act in the early 1970’s, rivers became cleaner, more pleasant, and usable—and people wanted access to them.
Yuma faced a unique challenge: a desert city right on the river but its river banks were choked with a jungle of non-native vegetation and a haven for crime. It was dangerous and inaccessible. The City of Yuma also wanted to see revitalization of its historic downtown and its many historic buildings.
A National Heritage Area is meant to “conserve and enhance the natural, cultural, and historic resources” of a community. For Yuma, that meant opening up the riverfront and revitalizing the historic downtown. We were able to create two beautiful riverfront parks (Gateway and West Wetlands); through a strong partnership with the Quechan Indian Tribe, restore 400 acres in the Yuma East Wetlands; connect it all with a riverfront trail system; and attract significant new private investment to the downtown riverfront. Somehow, miraculously, that all happened.
But I hope that is just the beginning of great things for Yuma. The Board commissioned an updated strategic plan in 2017, which continues to serve as a guide and inspiration for the future.
The highlights of the strategic plan include:
• Completing West Wetlands Park— Although it is one of the most popular and visited City parks, this 110-acre site is still not complete. Additional park land, shade ramadas, and restrooms are needed. The Heritage Area is working closely with the City to seek grants and work toward completion.
• Yuma East Wetlands (YEW)-- Our goals are to preserve this precious natural preserve which we worked so hard to create AND to create new low-impact recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike. We have funds in place and are working to build out in 2023 the Sunset View Nature Park and Viewing Area in the southeast corner of the YEW. We also continue to improve our maintenance of the area by seeking additional sources of revenues.
• Yuma’s State Parks—we completed a master plan for both parks received approval from the State of Arizona for the plan in 2019. This will serve as a blueprint for investment by both the Heritage Area AND Arizona State parks.
• The Heritage Area also committed to be an advocate for the Colorado River. In this time of severe drought, it is essential that the Heritage Area continue to support our farming community – the lifeblood of our economy—as well as the environmental health of the Colorado River.
These are but a few of the ambitious goals the Heritage Area has set for itself.
Of equal importance, each succeeding generation of Yumans should aspire to expand and broaden its vision of what Yuma can become “on the river’s edge”.
Colorado River State Historic Park
The Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area challenged the Yuma Community to show their creativity through art and share how they can help conserve water in our city. With the Colorado River crisis, we believe bringing awareness on a local level can help make a difference. We invite all out to the Colorado River State Historic Park to view the beautiful pieces August 27 , 2022 from 9:00 am - 11:00 am to receive FREE ADMISSION.
The Colorado River State Historic Park created two Star Party events in conjunction with community partners: Children's Museum of Yuma County, City of Yuma, Yuma Count Library District, Arizona Western College, Yuma Proving Ground and Yuma International Airport. These events offered telescope viewing, educational booths and crafts and activity stations. We have one more of these events this month on August 27th from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm. This event is FREE and OPEN to the public.
September 3, 2022 is the last date for the 6 month series of Saturdays at the Museum. On September 3rd, you can join in the fun with a step by step tutorial via Zoom on how to paint your own toadstool. All materials are provided for $5. You can purchase your tickets from the eventbrite link provided below.
A new 6 month series will be coming out soon and we can't wait to share a few new changes to the program. Follow us on our social media to learn more about it.
Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park
YPIC Students toured the Yuma Territorial Prison in August to gain insight and inspiration as they prepare to design and create a new metal "UMA" sign to be installed at the prison. Shanen Aranmor of Weld Like a Girl, will be instructing the students as they weld a new original artistic sign. With two original "UMA" signs already installed at the Colorado River State Historic Park and at Arizona Western College, a mural at the Yuma International Airport and a replica of the sign at Visit Yuma's information center, the new sign at the Yuma Territorial Prison will offer a fifth photo op location in the Yuma community and visitors can be the "Y" in the "UMA" sign. We are excited to see what design the students create and we are very thankful for Shanen's ongoing partnership with this project.
Through the National Park Foundation, the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area was awarded funding through the Open Outdoors for Kids Grant. This funding has already allowed for our team to host 25 local 4th grade classes at the Yuma Territorial Prison to complete an "escape room" type activity while learning the prison's history. All transportation and admission fees are covered through the grant. This program will continue through this school year and we encourage all 4th grade classroom teachers to contact us at 928-373-5190 or yumacrossing@yumaaz.gov to schedule your field trip.
The YCNHA recently received letters of support from the Quechan Tribal Council, the City of Yuma, and Arizona Game and Fish Department to apply for a grant from the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) for invasive plant removal and riparian habitat restoration along the north river bank at the Yuma East Wetlands.
If awarded, the project will remove invasive salt cedar and giant reed along the bank line, and will enhance riparian habitat by planting native wetland grasses and honey mesquite trees. Cleared vegetation will be chipped and utilized as mulch to help retain moisture for the new plantings.
For more information, please contact Jesus Melendrez at 928-373-5197.
We are so excited to share our beautiful trailer that will be hitting the road this fall as we kick off our volunteer Adopt-A-Trail Program in the Yuma East Wetlands. Thank you to the Arizona Community Foundation for helping fund volunteer tools, materials, and supplies for this important community volunteer project which will help us maintain this important community asset.
We would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to the Yuma East Wetlands' mascot, Yazmin the Yellow-Billed Cuckoo. The Yellow- Billed Cuckoo is an endangered species that has returned to the area after the restoration efforts in the Yuma East Wetlands. Yazmin will be a part of our video series showcasing the YEW for students and you can also find her on our new trailer. Listed on the graphic to the left are some fun facts about the Yellow-Billed Cuckoo.
Community Happenings
The Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area recently partnered with the Yuma International Airport! We are very excited to be working with their team as we fully believe in their mission to provide a wonderful start and stress free air travel to their guests' destination of choice.
We value Yuma International Airport's passion for the Yuma community and look forward to working with them.
Keep an eye out for the YCNHA's new backlit promotional signage in the baggage claim area of the airport and for the airports logo and support of our upcoming events.
2022 ARIZONA HISTORIC PRESERVATION CONFERENCE in Yuma, Arizona!
The Arizona Historic Preservation Conference boasts two full days of programming geared to professionals, with continuing education credits when available, in the fields of historic preservation, archaeology, cultural resources management, architecture, and planning. The event is tailored for members of the public who are involved in historic preservation and archaeology through volunteer activities and non-profit or state and local board and commission membership. Programming is designed to attract elected leadership and staff of Arizona’s 22 Native American tribes, who have a special relationship to Arizona’s heritage resources. The two days of general programming are supplemented by a half-day of pre-conference workshops and five tours.
This year's conference will be held in Yuma, Arizona. Conference planning has already begun and information will be shared as things are finalized. In the meantime, you are welcome to submit a nomination of an individual or project for an award, register for the conference, or become a sponsor. In addition, we welcome your questions, comments, and ideas. Send us a note.
Click on the link below to be directed to the site.
https://www.azpreservation.org/conference