Community can rescue Yuma's historic prison

The fate of the Yuma Territorial Prison now rests with the community.

The Arizona State Parks Board announced recently it would be closing 13 state parks due to a lack of money, including the territorial prison park here. The state plans to shut the doors on March 29, bringing an end to the city's premier tourism attraction.

Many around the community have expressed sadness at the prospect and now a movement is afoot to prevent it from happening.

The Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area has announced it will contribute $50,000 in national parks money it receives toward saving the prison if organizations and individuals in the community will kick in a matching amount before the scheduled closing.

It would be the second time the Heritage Area has helped rescue a local historical attraction in recent months. It is also helping oversee the Yuma Quartermaster Depot which the city of Yuma is leasing on a temporary basis from the state parks department to prevent its closing.

It is hoped a similar arrangement can be worked with the state for the prison park complex.

Saving the prison will not be an easy thing to do. The key will be reducing its cost of operation so that income from park revenues can match expenses. Right now it is running a significant deficit, but Charles Flynn, executive director of the Heritage Area, is confident that can be brought down over a period of time.

The immediate need is for $100,000 to keep the prison open while the steps are taken to balance revenue and costs this year so the prison complex can continue to operate on an ongoing basis without subsidies.

People can mail contributions (made payable to "YCNHA" and marked "Save the Prison Fund" in the memo field) to YCNHA c/o The Foothills Bank, 2285 S. 4th Ave., Yuma, AZ 85364.

Groups are also being asked to get involved with the Yuma Territorial Prison Chain Gang fund-raising effort. For more information on that, call Susan Sternitzke at 782-5712 or e-mail SusanS@YumaHeritage.com.

The territorial prison is an important part of our city's history. Now the community can help ensure it will be an important part of our future.