County Partners With State To Help Repair Road To Homolovi

By Tammy Gray-Searles
   While Homolovi State Park near Winslow escaped closure due to budget cuts, the park faced another challenge with roads in serious need of repair.
   In March, parks spokesman Ellen Bilbrey noted that, “The holes in the road there are just frightening.”
   Bilbrey pointed out that the roads could have been preventing some visitors from making the trek to the park, especially those traveling in motorhomes or towing trailers. At that time, Navajo County Manager Jimmy Jayne noted that the park plays an important role in the county’s economy and that the county might be willing to partner with the state to complete repairs.
   Since then, the county and the state have worked together and the potholes leading to the park have been filled as a result of the partnership.
   “The state parks are facing some financial challenges,” Jayne explained. “The park manager had approached us and asked for assistance.”
   Jayne noted that together, the state and the county were able to patch a number of holes, making the road passable for larger vehicles and more inviting to visitors.
   “Navajo County believes in partnerships that benefit the region. Homolovi has an impact on the entire region,” he said. “This was a way we could help partner locally with a state park.”
   Due to budget constraints, parks across the state have been reaching out to local communities and government agencies for assistance. In some cases, local government partnerships have helped keep parks open. Bilbrey previously noted that park attendance was one factor in placing parks on the potential closure list. Poor road conditions that deter visitors may have had an impact on the park’s funding status.
   Although the state park board did not close any parks, hours were reduced at several parks, including Homolovi. The campgrounds at the park were also closed indefinitely beginning Oct. 1. Reduced hours also started that date, with the park opening from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday through Monday. The park is closed to the public on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.   Homolovi’s estimated economic impact on the area prior to the schedule change was $3.5 million per year, according to a study conducted by Northern Arizona University. Researchers estimated that a total of 44 full-time jobs would have been impacted, including jobs in supporting industries such as motels and restaurants, if the park had closed.
   The study found that visitors contributed an annual average of $2.6 million directly to the economy and just under $900,000 indirectly, creating 35 direct jobs and nine indirect jobs. The average Homolovi visitor spent a total of $227 in the area while visiting the park, including admission fees, souvenirs, dining, fuel, snacks and lodging. In fiscal year 2006-07, Homolovi hosted 15,953 visitors.