Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area Corporation ANNUAL REPORT 2014-2015 Forging Ahead YUMA CROSSING NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA Letter from the Chair A view looking 2015 marks my fourth year as Chairman of the We are also looking to the future and undertaking east from the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area, following new initiatives. We are working with the City’s Herb Guenther in the footsteps of past Chairs Steve Bell, Gary Parks and Recreation Department to implement Scenic Overlook Munk, and Patricia Ware, who guided Yuma’s major improvements at the riverside in West in the Yuma East riverfront redevelopment since 2002. Aided by Wetlands Park. And with the help of a generous Wetlands. Only a many partners, volunteers, and a dedicated staff, donation from a local contractor, we are improving 5-10 minute walk they oversaw the completion of two beautiful recreational access to the East Wetlands at from Gateway riverfront parks, an extensive multi-use trail very little cost. Another historic adobe has Yuma West Wetlands Park, this spot system, 400 acres of restored wetlands, major been restored and put back on the tax rolls. gives you a 360 private investment on the downtown riverfront This 110-acre riverfront park is unique in that A considerable amount of the land area, however, Clockwise from top: degree perspective and the saving of Yuma’s two state historic parks. We thank the Yuma community and our it is located atop the former City of Yuma is yet to be developed, but the Heritage Area A new beach at the of this remarkable governmental and private sector partners for their landfill, which operated from 1910-1970. In the is committed to working with the City of Yuma West Wetlands. marsh and upland Recent years have focused on making these ongoing support, and look forward to continued 1990’s, an environmental analysis determined to complete the park. Our major emphasis has Park features restoration project. projects sustainable in the long term. We are improvements along the Colorado River. that it could be converted to a park. Six feet been to take advantage of 40 acres along the picnic areas, a lake, working with local partners and the Bureau of clean fill was trucked in from construction river. The Heritage Area completed a new plan restrooms, and of Reclamation to ensure that the 50-year Sincerely, projects throughout the area. First phase for those 40 acres and secured the necessary convenient parking. maintenance agreement for the East Wetlands can construction was completed in 2002 in the permitting. In 2013, Centennial Beach was A new mile-long keep that area as beautiful as it is now. The City eastern section of the park. A roadway through completed east of the boat ramp. In 2015, the trail was made of Yuma and the Heritage Area are in negotiations the entire park was completed in 2006. In 2007, Heritage Area partnered with the Parks and possible through a with Arizona State Parks to ensure that Yuma Thomas Rushin the Wolfe Creative playground was built by the Recreation Department to clear and restore the partnership with the retains local control of the two state historic parks. Chair, Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area community in the manner of an old-fashioned bank line, developing an outdoor environmental City of Yuma Parks Senator McCain was instrumental in ensuring that “barn-raising”. In 2010, a lit and paved multi-use classroom in the process.The focus is now creating and Recreation authorization to receive National Park Service path was completed alongside the roadway. a second beach with good access from the park. Department and the funding would continue, at least through 2022. Heritage Area. 2 | YCNHA Annual Report FY 2015 YCNHA Annual Report FY 2015 | 3 YUMA CROSSING NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA Promoting Private Investment in restoration, and invested more in exterior improvements. This the Downtown and Riverfront interest from the private sector reflects a positive trend for the downtown in general and historic properties in particular. In 1877, the Southern Pacific Railroad came across the Colorado River into Yuma, spawning a commercial building While the deep recession of 2008-9 had slowed private boom along Madison Avenue. The adobe structures along investment on the riverfront, the City of Yuma achieved Madison survived the flood of 1916 (which resulted in a a major breakthrough with the announcement of a municipal ban on further adobe construction) and, later on, 64-residential apartment complex along the canal front became the foundation for the Brinley Historic District. from 2nd to 4th Avenues, scheduled to open in late 2017. Increasing downtown living is considered a key to downtown In 2010, the Heritage Area purchased three adobe National revitalization. Register buildings along Madison Avenue which were in a serious state of deterioration. 106 S. Madison Avenue was Top: Rendering of the new 64-unit residential development along restored in 2012, but funding was not available for any further the Yuma Main Canal. Right: The Union Pacific Foundation restoration. In 2014, the Heritage Area offered 102 S. Madison provided grant funding to re-roof and stabilize this 1880’s era for lease. The prospective tenant was so enthusiastic about freight depot, a National Register property donated to the Heritage the project that he offered to buy the building upon its Area. Far Right: The Heritage Area saved and helped restore three endangered Madison Avenue National Register properties, with the eventual goal of getting them back into private ownership. 4 | YCNHA Annual Report FY 2015 YCNHA Annual Report FY 2015 | 5 YUMA CROSSING NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA Yuma East Wetlands to maintain; and a sustainable system of pumps to irrigate the project area. The Yuma East Wetlands is considered As the East Wetlands is rather unique a model for wetlands restoration in in the portfolio of MSCP projects, the the desert Southwest. A jungle of challenge is to find an approach that non-native vegetation, trash dumps meets the community’s needs within and hobo camps was transformed the constraints of the MSCP program. into 400 acres of wetlands and cottonwood/willow forests, thanks to a partnership among the Heritage Improving Access to Area, Quechan Indian Tribe, Arizona Game and Fish, and the City of Yuma. the East Wetlands Through a Creative The concern of how to maintain the East Wetlands 400 acres was resolved when the Partnership integrates public Lower Colorado River Multi-Species access and recreation Conservation Program (MSCP)—a People enjoy fishing in the Yuma with its primary goal coalition of the federal government, East Wetlands, but vehicular access as a wildlife area. southwestern states, and irrigation is necessarily limited. At the Pacific Above: The Quechan districts committed to restoration Avenue/2E alignment, there is a BEFORE Indian Tribe built on the Colorado River—agreed road that goes over the levee and Sunrise Point Park the MODE which people use to to partner with Yuma to maintain AFTER (Anya-Nitz-Pak). the area for a 50-year period. access the South Channel in the East Left: Better access Wetlands but with no parking. for fishing at the 2E The local partners are currently The Parks and Rec Department, the alignment was made in discussions with the Bureau of Heritage Area, and a private heavy possible with help Reclamation (who manages the MSCP equipment operator (donating his from a contractor Top: Overlooking the entire restoration area, which involved the planting of program) on how to maintain the area equipment and operators) teamed and from the City’s 200,000 trees, grass plugs, and marsh plant over the last decade. Center: Yuma’s in a cost-effective manner. Major issues up to improve the road surface; Parks and Recreation multi-use trail has been extended next to the East Wetlands, popular with walkers, include securing a source of fresh water clear and improve a parking lot; Department. runners, and bicyclists. Bottom: A 3.5 mile maintenance trail serves double duty for for the South Channel; converting away and secure/patrol the site at night. hikers and equestrians alike. from drip irrigation, which can be costly Public response has been terrific. 6 | YCNHA Annual Report FY 2015 YCNHA Annual Report FY 2015 | 7 YUMA CROSSING NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA Arizona State Parks: The Way Forward Clockwise from With the wholehearted support of the Yuma community and the City of Yuma, the Heritage Area took over of the parks. In 2015, the Heritage Area completed Another key factor to resolve is the long-term Restored original top:A magnificent operations of the Yuma Territorial Prison and Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Parks in order a Master Plan for both parks, which will serve as a relationship between the Yuma community and adobe structures, view from the to prevent their closure by Arizona State Parks. The results have been nothing less than phenomenal. blueprint for future improvements. (yumaheritage. Arizona State Parks. The current short–term a Sunday Prison Guard com/docs/Parks-Master-Plan-2015.pdf) lease terms were developed during emergency Farmer’s Market Tower. The original The Territorial Prison has doubled its Yuma’s Arizona Welcome Center in a joint conditions to get the parks into local control back in the winter, and cell block is a major revenues in six years through a creative venture with the Yuma Visitors Bureau. It also The most thought-provoking element of the Master in 2010. In order to facilitate strategic planning engaging museum draw for visitors. and aggressive advertising program; has is a community gathering place for weddings, Plan is the proposal to change the name of the and investments in the parks, it is essential exhibits bring Increased retail undertaken a comprehensive program to special events, farmers markets, concerts, and Quartermaster Depot to the Colorado River State that a longer-term agreement be worked out the story of the sales have made the address deferred maintenance; has entirely conferences.