Star Parties, Rescue Locators and More!

This past fiscal year, we introduced some great programs, events, and offerings for visitors at Oracle State Park.

I worked with Tom Buckley to create the Oracle State Park Virtual Geology Tour, where users can virtually visit each stop along the park’s geology trail. Thanks to the software’s interactive elements, users can click on photos to zoom in and read explanations at each stop while panning in 360 degrees to look around. This is a wonderful way for first time visitors to learn about the park’s geology before visiting, and is a nice alternative for those who can’t get out on the trail.

We also hosted six star parties in partnership with the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association. Across the 6 events, there were more than 800 attendees. Aside from the stargazing with the wonderful volunteers with TAAA, many events featured guest speakers, presentations, documentary screenings, food trucks, and musicians.

Thanks to funds and equipment purchased from the Friends group, we installed 32 rescue locator signs throughout the park, allowing for more efficient emergency response and assistance to visitors out on trail who need help or medical attention. By June 1, 2026, all rescue locator signs will also be visible virtually on AllTrails maps and routes for those navigating with their phones.

New interpretive programming has been introduced by both park staff and volunteers, including Night Sky Photography Workshops, Bird Walks, and Birding meet-ups. New guided hikes were also offered as we rolled out our First Saturday Hikes, where we led different guided hikes on the first Saturday of each month. Guided hike topics included monsoons, wildlife, birds, scorpions, oaks, history, geology, photography, cacti, and more. In-person programming at the park brought in more than 1,200 visitors during the fiscal year. The park also hosted private events throughout the year, including four weddings, where visitors rented areas such as the Kannally Ranch House and patio.

The park engaged with the Oracle community and greater Southern Arizona communities by tabling at different events and festivals. Two notable engagement opportunities were the Oracle Oaks Festival and Fountain Hills Dark Sky Festival. At the Oaks Festival, we joined the parade and tabled at the event, talking with community members about the park. We also attended the Fountain Hills Dark Sky Festival, where we networked with other passionate dark sky professionals and engaged with the public about the importance of our dark skies, and dark sky offerings at Oracle State Park. The festival brought in more than 2,000 attendees.