20 Arizona parks benefit from Heritage Fund money

News Media
May 25, 2005

PHOENIX -  You may soon see some beautiful improvements at your favorite local park, thanks to money from the voter-created Heritage Fund.

In 1990, Arizona voters overwhelmingly approved the creation of the Heritage Fund. The fund gives money from Arizona Lottery ticket sales to conservation efforts like protecting endangered species, educating our children about wildlife, helping urban residents coexist with wildlife, and creating new opportunities for outdoor recreation. Recently, $140,000 from the Arizona Game and Fish Department Heritage Fund was set aside for projects at 20 lakes in parks from Tucson to Phoenix to Payson.

"We're so pleased that we can use this money to benefit people in several areas of the state," says Eric Swanson, head of the Arizona Game and Fish Department's Urban Fishing Program. "All of the improvements are at public parks that Arizonans and tourists alike can enjoy."

Swanson worked closely with park managers to identify projects that would best improve the areas around the 20 lakes included in the department's Urban Fishing Program. One project will place new easier-to-read urban fishing signs and fishing information kiosks at all 20 lakes.
"We hope these additions will improve the angling experience for everyone who uses these parks for fishing," says Swanson.

The signs are already in place at Papago Park, Canal Park, and Steele Indian School Park. Many other projects that received Heritage money are either complete or in the process of being done. These include new sidewalks and better angler access at Encanto and Cortez Parks, about 100 new shade trees planted at parks across the Phoenix area, better shoreline stabilization at Papago Ponds and Canal Pond, hundreds of tons of rock used to create fish reefs and spawning beds at Kiwanis and Chaparral lakes, and a new aeration system to improve fishing conditions at Alvord Lake in Cesar Chavez Park.

"With our heavy fish stockings every two weeks and these new improvements at the parks, it's an excellent time to get out and go fishing," says Swanson.

An urban fishing license for the whole year costs just $16. You can buy one at any Arizona Game and Fish Department office, many sporting goods stores, Wal-Marts, and online at azgfd.gov. You can also buy a license by calling toll-free (866) 462-0433.

Arizonans can help raise money for the Heritage Fund every year, simply by buying Arizona Lottery tickets. The money goes to positive projects across the state, including community and research grants. More than two dozen schools in Maricopa County alone have benefited from Heritage money since the fund was created.
 

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