The newly dedicated Elizabeth “Liz” C. Archuleta County Park includes new park amenities, including a watchable wildlife platform, outdoor classroom, and pond, created in partnership with Willow Bend Environmental Education Center.
FLAGSTAFF — On August 13th, Coconino County honored former member of the Board of Supervisors, long-time member of the local community, and USDA director of Intergovernmental Affairs, Elizabeth “Liz” C. Archuleta by renaming Sawmill Multicultural Art and Nature County Park in her honor. The newly dedicated Elizabeth “Liz” C. Archuleta County Park includes a storybook path, thanks to the Coconino County Parks & Recreation partnership with The Literacy Center, which features the book Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match by Flagstaff author Monica Brown. It also has new park amenities, including a watchable wildlife platform, outdoor classroom, and pond, created in partnership with Willow Bend Environmental Education Center.
Elizabeth “Liz” C. Archuleta is a descendant of Hispanic pioneers who were among the founders of Flagstaff. She is also honored in the Trailblazers Series Vol. IV, Arizona Latina Trailblazers. The park itself is a part of the cultural heritage of the region, having once been a sawmill brownfield that employed many of the founding families of the city of Flagstaff. The mill brought much of the cultural diversity that typifies the area.
From September 15th to October 15th, Americans celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. The commemoration began as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson in 1968 and was expanded to cover the full 30 days by President Ronald Reagan in 1988. At the September 13th meeting of the Coconino County Board of Supervisors, a proclamation recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month in Coconino County was read and adopted by the Board. Communities are welcome to enjoy the Elizabeth “Liz” C. Archuleta County Park and celebrate the Hispanic community and heritage.