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Trail Upgrade Project at Oracle State Park has begun! Oracle State Park is one of the largest state parks in Arizona, covering 4,000 acres of foothills of the Catalina Mountains. Nearly 20 miles of trails provide hiking adventures for visitors from near and far. For years, a group of dedicated volunteers and park staff have worked to maintain and groom the trails. Our new project will bring upgrades and improvements to trails addressing orientation, emergency response, erosion control, and steep transitions - all to ensure a safer and more enjoyable hiking experience. The Trail Upgrade Project is an ambitious, multi-phase, collaborative effort bringing together the Friends of Oracle State Park board, Park staff and volunteers, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue, and the local and regional community. Generous donations from Friends of Oracle State Park members have made this project possible. Sinda Sutton, Oracle State Park Manager, stated, “This program is a powerful example of how donor support leads to real, on-the-ground improvements that directly benefit Oracle State Park, its visitors, emergency responders, and the broader community.” The first phase is well underway and includes the placement of rescue locator navigational signs at trail intersections. Phase Two and Phase Three are just getting started. They will address the most severe erosion cuts and steep sections along the most heavily travelled trails. “Addressing these trouble spots now ensures a healthy trail system that can be enjoyed by all for years to come”, says Tom Buckley, VP, Friends of Oracle State Park.

Birding and Breakfast for Friends of Oracle State members! Join us for a birding walk with Maribeth Greenslade and David Singleton. Bird migration is still happening, so you might see some unusual birds. Go to FriendsOracleStatePark.org or FriendsOracleStatePark@gmail.com

New ranger, star party, visiting artist, guided tours and more! September newsletter available at: https://mailchi.mp/5eb10e1ca789/fosp_newsletter_202409 #azstateparks #oraclestateparkember

See our new June newsletter for upcoming events including star party and concert with Bruce Carlson! https://mailchi.mp/28685c90daf8/fosp_newsletter_202406 #azstateparks #oraclestatepark

This will be a great presentation and opportunity to learn about setting up your own compost. Linda Leigh, Compost Curator, at the Oracle Community Garden will be your guide. #visitoracle

Sitting atop 1.4 billion year old Oracle Granite at the summit of the Granite Overlook Trail. Looking southeast across Oracle State Park, the San Pedro Valley and the distant Galiuro Mountains.”. Photo by Tom Buckley

Our May newsletter is out! See what's happening at the Park next month. https://mailchi.mp/fda25a5ccf53/fosp_newsletter_202405 #azstateparks

We are thrilled to partner with Arizona Commission on the Arts on the first-ever Arizona State Parks Artist in Residence Program! Koryn Woodward Wasson, a teaching artist who lives and works in Phoenix, will kick off the program from April 14-19. During this week, Koryn will spend her time creating art in Oracle State Park, which is hosting the initial cohorts of artists. Learn more about the program and the artists at azstateparks.com/oracle/things-to-do/artist-in-residence. With her husband and creative collaborator, Roy Wasson Valle, Koryn creates large-scale interactive installation public artwork. Independently, her work in watercolor and ink centers around storytelling, regarding her everyday interactions with the natural desert world and her relationships with those around her. See more of Koryn’s work at fireweatherstudio.com. We can’t wait to see how nature’s beauty at Oracle State Park inspires Koryn this week!

Attention ‼️ This summer, we’ll have brand new hours designed to keep the park open earlier and longer. Starting in May, we’ll be operating on the following schedule: Park opens at 6 AM Last entry at 3 PM Park closes at 4 PM The Kannally Ranch House will be open daily from 8 AM - 3 PM during these months. This means that our usual hours shift in April will not be happening, and we’ll remain open from 8 AM-5 PM daily until May. Thank you!

Our April newsletter is out. Read about artist Koryn Woodward Wasson, astronomer David Levy, and all our April events! https://mailchi.mp/0cbae66ae612/fosp_newsletter-202404 #azstateparks