HERITAGE AREA NEWS

In The News


Jun
11
2024

Stay cool in Yuma with 5 awesome water hikes

Stay cool in Yuma with 5 awesome water hikes

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Apr
3
2024

Biden-Harris Administration Announces $25 Million from Investing in America Agenda to Protect Wetlands in Arizona

Media Contact: Interior_Press@ios.doi.gov
 
For Release: Apr 3, 2024

YUMA, Ariz. — The Department of the Interior today announced a $25 million investment from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to protect and maintain two areas important for resilience and drought mitigation in the Southwest — the Yuma East Wetlands and Topock Marsh in Arizona.                                                                                                                                

“Through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, we have historic new resources to safeguard western communities in the face of severe drought conditions, restore ecosystems and build a sustainable future,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Michael Brain. “Building on our significant milestones this year to protect the Colorado River System, we are continuing to bring every tool and resource to bear to protect the stability and sustainability of the Colorado River System and increase water efficiency across the West.”

Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton joined leadership of the Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe, the city of Yuma, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission and the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area at the Yuma East Wetlands to make the announcement.

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Apr
2
2024

Construction of the new East Wetlands overlook set to finish in coming months

Construction of new East Wetlands overlook set to finish in coming months

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  • The Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area (YCNHA) is about ready to unveil its newest and boldest creation at the Yuma East Wetlands. Sunset View Park, situated at the Wetlands’ southeast end, will boast a hilltop ramada, a 30-foot plaza with rock benches, and a network of trails.

    Directly behind the Pacific Avenue Athletic Complex (PAAC) and across the canal, the park’s main plaza will be lined with native trees (mostly honey mesquite and palo verdes) and bushes, as well as a pollinator garden for a monarch butterfly habitat.

    Newly constructed trails will access the ramada, whose design pays homage to the Yuma Territorial Prison’s iconic guard tower, from three sides, and they’ll connect the plaza to the parking lot and river access point to the north. An anti-flood irrigation system will also be installed and connected to the preexisting system of pumps along the river.

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Apr
2
2024

Haru Matsuri at the Colorado River State Historic Park

Contact:

Sarah Halligan

Communications Specialist

Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area

Sarah.Halligan@yumaaz.gov

O – 928-373-5190

 

Press Release

 

For Immediate Release                                                        

April 1st, 2024                                                                                    

 

Colorado River Park Hosts Haru Matsuri Festival

 

Yuma, AZ – On Saturday, April 6th, the Colorado River State Historic Park will host Yuma’s second annual “Haru Matsuri” from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Gates will open at 9:30 a.m.

 

The Haru Matsuri, which translates into “Spring Festival” from Japanese, will be a day-long celebration of Asian and Pacific Islander Culture.  The festival will feature entertainment, vendors, demonstrations, crafts, and food.

 

“Last year was our first year, and we had a fantastic festival, but this year will be even better,” said Tammy Snook, Colorado River State Historic Park Manager.  “We have more entertainment, more vendors, and more educational booths.”

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Mar
28
2024

East Wetlands Wins Natural Environmental Preservation Award

No less than 11 nominees populated the field for the largest category at Saturday’s Environmental Excellence Awards, hosted and sponsored by Arizona Forward, a community services organization that advocates for the sustainability of Arizona’s environment.

In its first-ever nomination, the Yuma East Wetlands emerged from the pool of finalists representing the entire state to take home the Arizona Forward Environmental Excellence Award for Natural Environmental Preservation.

“We were really excited to win,” said Cathy Douglas, Executive Director of the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area (YCNHA), who journeyed to Scottsdale for the awards ceremony with Jesus Melendrez, the Wetlands and Facilities Manager. “We love to have that kind of recognition for Yuma and for what we’ve done to help create the Wetlands and the whole riverfront. We were nominated as a community collaborative restoration project.”

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Jan
13
2024

For Immediate Release: CRSHP Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest

Contact:

Tammy Snook

Park Manager

Colorado River State Historic Park

O – 928-329-0471

 

Press Release

For Immediate Release                                                        

January 8th, 2024                                                                                

Colorado River Park Hosts Free Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest

Yuma, AZ – On Saturday, January 13th, at 9:30 a.m., the Colorado River State Historic Park will host their Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest. 

The Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest is a free, fun, family-friendly event that invites everyone in the community to grab a box of chalk and decorate a square of the park’s sidewalk. 

“The City of Yuma is hosting their annual Art in the Park at Gateway Park, right next to our historic museum, and we thought this would be a great way to support the art festivities and encourage even more folks to come and celebrate Yuma’s art community with both events,” said Tammy Snook, Park Manager of the Colorado River State Historic Park.

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Nov
21
2023

For Immediate Release: Yuma Crossing NHA awarded funding from the National Park Foundation

Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area

Sarah Halligan

Sarah.Halligan@yumaaz.gov

928-373-5190

Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area Receives Grant to provide an all-expenses paid field trip to Yuma’s two state historic parks and Yuma East Wetlands.

 

Yuma, AZ November 13, 2023 – Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area has received an Open OutDoors for Kids grant from the National Park Foundation to provide all-expenses paid field trips to Yuma County’s 3rd and 4th grade students.

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Oct
21
2023

Dia de los Muertos 2023

Celebrate loved ones lost with our Dia de los Muertos event at the Yuma Territorial Prison hosted in conjunction with the Chicano Art Collective.

Celebrate loved ones lost with our Dia de los Muertos event at the Yuma Territorial Prison hosted in conjunction with the Chicano Art Collective.
 
Purchase on Eventbrite.com
Admission: $10; Ages 7 & under FREE
Doors OPEN @ 5:00 pm
Event Ending @ 10:00 pm

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Sep
14
2023

One more week to Vote

One more week of voting for Best Haunted title

 

Community members have one more week left to vote for the Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park as the Best Haunted Destination in the nation.

As of Friday, the Territorial Prison ranked No. 2, behind Zak Bagans’ The Haunted Museum in Las Vegas, in the USA Today 10Best contest.

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Aug
28
2023

Territorial Prison vies for Best Haunted title

Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park is once again vying for the title of Best Haunted Destination in the nation.

The historic prison has previously held the No. 1 and 2 spots in the USA Today 10Best contest. The Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area, which oversees the state park, is asking community members to help the prison regain the title.

To vote, go to www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-haunted-destination-2023. The Heritage Area invites supporters to vote multiple times a day from different devices to secure the top spot again.

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