Opening Reception of the Multicultural Park Sculpture Exhibition to be held at 9 a.m. Friday, May 17 at Elizabeth ‘Liz’ C. Archuleta County Park
Spring is in the air, even if we have a couple second or third winters. Our spring season is packed with opportunities to learn, explore, and connect!
Winter Recreation Updates and Safety
Much of Coconino County is a winter wonderland! Parks and natural areas offer great winter recreation opportunities. Strap on your boots, snow shoes, or cross-country skis, and enjoy the trails. Make snow forts and snow people. Have a (safe) snowball fight. Enjoy the beauty of nature in the snow, whether birdwatching or walking in the trees.
Culinary Class: Holiday Side Dishes
The holiday season is quickly approaching! Time to spend time with friends and family, start thinking about defrosting the turkey, and cracking out the side dish recipes. This special holiday focused culinary class will teach you how to make a variety of classic Thanksgiving side dishes such as mashed potatoes, stuffing, mac and cheese, and grilled brussels sprouts.
This cooking class will be held on November 19, noon-3:00 p.m., at the Fort Tuthill County Park Mess Hall in Flagstaff, AZ. It will be taught by our incredible culinary instructor, Willa McAuliffe.
The cost for this program is $25* for Adults (18 and older) and $15* for Youth (8 – 17 years old).
Pre-register here.
Autumn in Coconino County
Autumn is a special time in Coconino County. From sunflowers to golden aspens, the landscape changes colors and welcomes many migratory animals. Coconino County parks and natural areas are great for autumn enthusiasts!
From wildlife watching to enjoying autumn gardens, Coconino County parks and natural areas have options for everyone.
Book Corner
After a long weekend at the Fair, relax with a good book!
Were you inspired by the animals at the Fair and also want a cozy book for the transition to autumn? All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot is the classic, heartfelt story of a Yorkshire veterinarian.
Children may like the timeless tale of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf, whose story of being yourself rings just as true today as in the 1920s.
Teens and tweens may enjoy Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White, the story of a farm pig’s unlikely friendship with a talented spider.
These and other great autumn reads can be found at your local library!
Last Month Before the Coconino County Fair!
The Coconino County Fair is only one month away!
Are you exhibiting at the Fair? Don’t miss the deadlines for exhibit entries this month! Visit www.CoconinoCountyFair.com for deadlines, listed in our Fair Book!
Your last chance to get discounted tickets is now!
Online Early Bird admission tickets are SOLD OUT!
Buy Early Bird tickets (cash only) at Bookmans Flagstaff Entertainment Exchange while supplies last!
Discounted carnival wrist bands are still available at Bookmans Flagstaff and www.CoconinoCountyFair.com, while supplies last!
Don’t sleep on these discounts!
Want to save time parking? Buy your parking pass online, to hasten the wait time!
COCONINO COUNTY — The creation of a new County-maintained natural area is one step closer to fruition, as an agreement between the owners of Gonzalez Ranch and Trust for Public Land (TPL), a national nonprofit organization, to donate a 488-acre property and permanently preserve it as recreational open space, is expected to move forward in the next several weeks. The parcel, located adjacent to Interstate 40 north of Williams, Ariz., has been the subject of speculation over its possible development in recent years. … The future park at Gonzalez Ranch will honor the story of the Gonzalez family which immigrated from Spain and settled the land in the early 1900s.
FREE Event AWWE Presents: A Bird Walk
Join wildlife experts in this season’s first bird walk! We will meet at Rogers Lake County Natural Area (7 miles SW of Flagstaff on Woody Mountain Road / Forest Road 231, at the first Rogers Lake entrance sign as you arrive at the County Natural Area). Bring your binoculars, sturdy shoes, a sunhat, a notebook and pencil, and perhaps your camera! This event is free, but registration will be required.
Notes: We will hike up to 3 miles. Bring whatever you want for hiking, and dress appropriately for the weather. Bring binoculars and bird guide if you have them – we will have some binoculars for those that don’t.
Fair Book
The digital Fair Book is here!
The 2023 Fair Book is now available online!
It’s time to start prepping your exhibits for this year’s Coconino County Fair!
Printed books will be available at the Fairgrounds and distributed around the County early this month.
Coconino County Parks and Recreation is inviting you to attend presentations to learn more about the proposed Coconino County Fair fee updates.
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 22 beginning at 6:00 PM through Microsoft Teams. We expect these presentations to last approximately 1 hour including the Q&A. You can learn more, RSVP to those meetings, and provide comments at coconinocountyfair.com/feeupdate. The public may also post comments and questions to the Fair’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CoconinoCountyFair.
Book Corner
Blustery weather makes for the perfect time to curl up with a good book! 50 Things to do in the Urban Wild by Clare Gogerty is a book to get the creative juices flowing by giving you ideas for how to connect to your local area. Although written in the United Kingdom, the book is applicable to people living anywhere, including the diverse landscapes of Coconino County. Topics include how to create a leaf journal, how to identify trees in winter, cloud spotting, city hiking, and restoring natural habitats. Get inspired to enjoy your local trail system, nature, and wildlife. Maybe you can even learn skills that you can enter in the Coconino County Fair, with topics including growing plants and incorporating nature in art!
Arizona Forward Environmental Excellence Awards Finalist
We are excited to share that our project is a finalist for the Arizona Forward Environmental Excellence Awards! Our project, Elizabeth “Liz” C. Archuleta County Park: Fostering Hope, Heritage, and Community Centered Environmental Education, honors the environmental education and communication work that Elizabeth “Liz” C. Archuleta County Park and Willow Bend Environmental Center are doing.
Do You Have Coconino County Parks and Recreation on Your 2023 Bingo Card?
Now you can! Join Coconino County Parks and Recreation for a healthy, fun 2023!
Thanks to Friends of Coconino County Parks, we are able to offer a $25 gift card to Babbitt’s Backcountry Outfitters to a lucky winner who finishes their bingo card this year! Have fun, stay safe, leave no trace, and get outside in 2023! Check our website for information about parks, natural areas, events, programs, and the Fair, and keep a lookout for new updates as the year goes on!
Memories of 2022
It is almost 2023! Coconino County Parks and Recreation has had a great season!
Flagstaff Snow Park
Winter is coming and we know that means winter recreation! Coconino County Parks and Recreation supports safe and fun winter snow play.
For information about the Flagstaff Snow Park, visit www.flagstaffsnowpark.com. Reservations are required and tickets may be purchased on their website.
Memories of 2022
Coconino County Parks and Recreation supports the community year-round. Have you enjoyed Coconino County arks and natural areas this year? Did you attend a program, like one of the archery clinics or a standup paddleboard class? Did you enjoy events like Pickin’ in the Pines or the Coconino County Fair? Have you enjoyed hiking, wildlife watching, or other recreational activities? We would love to see your memories! Submit your favorite Coconino County parks and natural areas photos for a chance to be featured in our newsletter and social media! Email your photos to cdonaldson@coconino.az.gov.
Whether you enjoyed the summer sun, captured wildlife sightings, watched the autumn leaves, or attended a program or event, we want to celebrate memories of Coconino County Parks and Recreation!
Public Comment on Fort Tuthill Management Plan
November 14 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
November 17 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Coconino County Parks and Recreation is asking for public comment on the Fort Tuthill Land Management Plan DRAFT. A copy of the draft plan is available here, where the public may leave comments. Public meetings will be held on November 14 at 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and November 17 at 5:30 – 7:00 p.m., at the Fort Tuthill County Park Mess Hall. There will also be a virtual option to join through Microsoft Teams. The link will be available at coconinocounty.konveio.com/fort-tuthill-county-park-management-plan-draft, under Fort Tuthill County Park Management Plan DRAFT.
Thank you!
Thanks to all the workers, volunteers, superintendents, sponsors, partners, vendors, entertainers, exhibitors, contractors, and attendees of the 2022 Coconino County Fair.
More than 42,000 people visited over Labor Day weekend.
If you were inspired by this year’s event, please start thinking about a project you might want to enter next year. From gardening to collecting, there are many opportunities to be part of the Fair. See you at the County Fair next year!
This year’s Coconino County Fair is Labor Day weekend, Sept. 2-5 at Fort Tuthill County Park Fairgrounds in Flagstaff, AZ.
Thank you to our sponsors Swire Coca-Cola, Findlay Toyota Flagstaff, Friends of Coconino County Parks, Great Circle Media, Ferrell Gas, New Life Forest Products, KAFF, and KNAU!
Visit all the exhibit buildings to see 4-H projects and entries from community members!
Enjoy entertainment all four days! In addition to the four headliner acts listed here, we have many other musicians and entertainers performing at the Fair!
Coconino County Parks & Recreation has announced that members of the community are invited to a public dedication and re-naming ceremony of Sawmill Multicultural Art and Nature County Park in honor of a former member of the Board of Supervisors and long-time member of the local community, Elizabeth “Liz” Archuleta from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.Saturday, Aug. 13 at 703 E. Sawmill Road, Flagstaff.
There will be speeches from local elected officials, live music, park tours, children’s activities, a book signing, and recognition of the new amenities at the park, including a new mural design.
The first Latina to be elected to the Board, Archuleta served in her position for more than 24 years. In that time, she also served as President of the County Supervisors Association and as Chairwoman of the National Association of Counties Public Lands Steering Committee, where she worked to bolster rural schools and forest health. Archuleta also served as Vice President of the National Association of Latino Elected & Appointed Officials and served on the Governor’s Arizona Statewide Water Advisory Council.
She currently serves in the Biden Administration as the Director of the Office of External & Intergovernmental Affairs at the United States Department of Agriculture. In this capacity, she serves as the department’s liaison to state, county, local, tribal officials and other stakeholders.
Coconino County Parks & Recreation is hosting the 73rd annual Coconino County Fair on Labor Day Weekend Sept. 2 through 5 at Fort Tuthill County Park.
The County Fair is an annual community event where adult and youth alike showcase their interests and hobbies by exhibiting livestock animals and handicrafts. There will also be live entertainment throughout each day, carnival rides, fair food, games, vendors, and much more!
Beginning July 1 through July 31, fairgoers can purchase admission tickets and carnival wristbands online at a discounted rate at https://www.coconinocountyfair.com/ Pre-sale carnival wristbands are available while supplies last.
For County park and natural areas, the following restrictions apply:
• The following County amenities are closed: Trails, Disc Golf Course, Archery Range, and Bike Park.
• No camping is allowed outside of campground area.
• All campfires are prohibited.
• Charcoal/wood or liquid fuels grills are prohibited.
• Liquid fuels and/or liquid petroleum gas fire rings are prohibited.
• Smoking is prohibited outdoors.
• No vehicle parking and/or driving on grassy, forested, and unimproved/undeveloped areas.
• Chainsaws and other small, motorized equipment are prohibited by park users.
• Previously scheduled events to be approved by Department at least one week prior to the event.
Coconino County is in Stage 2 fire restrictions. For parks and natural areas managed by Coconino County, the following restrictions apply:
• No camping allowed outside of campground area.
• All campfires are prohibited.
• No charcoal/wood grills and liquid fuels and/or liquid petroleum gas fire rings.
• Smoking prohibited outdoors.
• No vehicle parking and/or driving on grassy, forested, and unimproved/undeveloped areas.
• Chainsaws and other small, motorized equipment are prohibited by park users.
Overland Expo WEST returns to Fort Tuthill County Park this weekend, May 20-22. Visit their website for event info, including tickets and where to park.
As a heads up, the park’s horse stables are closed from May 16-25. While the trails, disc golf course, and the bike park will be open during the event, parking will be severely limited. The entire parking lots next to the bike park and disc golf course are being utilized by the special event and we cannot guarantee any parking spaces at this time.
If you choose to visit the park this weekend, we suggest that people walk or ride their bike into the park to use the open facilities. You could also use this as an opportunity to explore new (to you) places in Northern Arizona this weekend.
Earth Day is next week and there’s no better way to celebrate than participating in a local event. Join Coconino County, the City of Flagstaff, Friends of Coconino County Parks, and the U.S. Forest Service for a volunteer cleanup and an activity afterwards in honor of Earth Day 2022. All cleanups start at 10 a.m. and include a fun outdoor activity. Register at the Sign-Up Genius Links below.
Can’t make it? Invest in yourself and your community by getting outside and making a difference on your own. Tag a picture with #NAZEarthDay22 to be a part of the celebration.
Wed., April 20 cleanup at Highway 180 (Peak View) https://tinyurl.com/et7jdajj
Thurs., April 21 cleanup at Fort Tuthill County Park https://tinyurl.com/yc7t6ykn
Fri., April 22 cleanup at Ashurst Lake
https://tinyurl.com/2s4pmk5v
We will begin offering Culinary Classes in early January through the month of April. There are currently three classes scheduled and available for registration. Each class will cover a different cooking skill including tortillas and tamales, pastries, and candy making.
In the first class on Saturday, January 8th, 2022, you can learn the basics of making both tortillas and tamales. More specifically, participants will learn a brief history of tortillas and tamales, what tools you need, and how to make them! You will see the process unfold, then make some yourself.
The next class to be held on January 29th, 2022, will focus on making pastries at home! Pastries are defined as a dough created with water, flour, and fats (such as butter). This class will teach you the basics of pastry making and provide you with specific instruction as to how to make a few fan favorites.
Flagstaff is the premier destination for fun wintertime activities in Arizona. Visitors can enjoy numerous winter activities at Fort Tuthill County Park including snow shoeing, cross-country skiing, and playing in the snow. If you visit, park only in designated parking areas; do not park on roadways and be alert for snowplows and pedestrians. Read the Winter Parking Ordinance.
Coconino County Parks & Recreation celebrated the completion of the first permanent, publicly accessible, year-round restroom at Fort Tuthill County Park on Wednesday, October 21, with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
The restroom is located east of the Fort Tuthill Bike Park, in the north parking lot of Fort Tuthill County Park. County Supervisors and representatives from Kinney Construction Services, Peak Engineering, RJA-Architecture, and Arizona State Parks attended the celebration.
Coconino County Parks & Recreation and The Literacy Center are pleased to unveil the Storybook Path at Sawmill County Park.
The path features the book Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match by local author Monica Brown. The book’s pages are displayed on pedestals at intervals along the path for visitors of all ages to read and enjoy in both English and Spanish. Visitors also have the option to listen to the audio book in both languages by scanning a QR code on their smartphone.
This year’s Coconino County Fair is Labor Day weekend, Sept. 3-6
at Fort Tuthill County Park Fairgrounds in Flagstaff, AZ.
Thank you to our sponsors Swire Coca-Cola, Findlay Toyota Flagstaff, Friends of Coconino County Parks, Great Circle Media, and KNAU!
This year’s Coconino County Fair is Labor Day weekend, Sept. 3-6
at the Fort Tuthill County Park Fairgrounds in Flagstaff, AZ. We return to an in-person Fair this year, complete with live entertainment, community & 4-H exhibits, livestock shows & 4-H auction, fair food, carnival rides, vendors, beer garden, and more!
And speaking of community exhibits, did you learn new skills or pick up new hobbies during COVID? Maybe you joined the sourdough craze or took a deep dive into a new hobby, and whether it was for fun or out of necessity, why not share your creation at the County Fair? Enter your prized possession – in everything from Fine Arts to Open Poultry – through The Fair Book. Some entries deadlines are as soon as Aug. 7.
As of 6:00 a.m. July 6, Coconino County has moved back to Stage 2 Fire Restrictions in coordination with the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests.
In line with the movement to Stage 2 Fire Restrictions, Coconino County Parks and Recreation has reopened trails including Soldiers, Bridge, Two-Spot, Gold Digger, and Pumphouse Nature trails, and allowed access to the Highlands Trail, Flagstaff Loop Trail, and Harrenburg Wash.
Additionally, Fort Tuthill Disc Golf Course, Fort Tuthill Bike Park, the stables at Fort Tuthill, the Archery Range at Fort Tuthill, and ramadas are now open.
Coconino County is in Stage Three fire restrictions in the unincorporated areas of the county, including on private lands, in coordination with similar actions by the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests and other agencies in the area. Fire restrictions are effective June 23, 2021 at 8 a.m.
Please be careful with fire and follow current fire restrictions. Read more.
PC: “Indiana Dunes Campsite at Night” by Rob Saker is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/
Coconino County is in Stage One fire restrictions in the unincorporated areas of the county, including on private lands, in coordination with similar actions by the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests and other agencies in the area. Fire restrictions are effective May 14, 2021 at 8 a.m.
All of Coconino County parks and natural areas remain under Stage One fire restrictions; charcoal/wood grills are not allowed and no campfires are allowed outside of the campground area, visitors may use liquid gas stoves only on improved surfaces. Please be careful with fire and follow current fire restrictions. Read more.
There’s no greater time to explore the outdoors. As we celebrate Earth Day on April 22, why not put into practice sustainable recreation and tourism? Did you know there are 7 principles of Leave No Trace? To learn more about how you can
leave no trace when exploring
Arizona’s outdoors, visit
AppreciateAZ.com.
We will begin accepting ramada reservations for the summer season on Monday, March 15. Visit the webpage Reserve a Ramada for more information and instructions.
Flagstaff Snow Park’s opening day is Friday, December 18. Tickets are generally available 2-5 days in advance. Flagstaff Snow Park tickets will only be available online this season, capacity will be limited to 50% of normal, and face coverings and a temperature check are required before entering. For more information and to buy tickets, visit https://www.flagstaffsnowpark.com
As state and local guidelines around COVID-19 evolve, we can all be a part of making the outdoors a safe place to be. Following the #RecreateResponsibly guidelines will keep everyone safe as we enjoy our parks, waters, trails, and forests. Learn more about recreating responsibly by activity.
On Saturday, August 1, the Arizona Trail Association (ATA) held a dedication for the Babbitt Ranch Segment, Passage 35. The small, private event was not open to the public due to COVID-19. Coconino County Board of Supervisor Art Babbott (District 1) and Coconino County Parks and Recreation staff attended the event.
We encourage you to engage in responsible physical and social distancing when recreating outdoors. Parks, natural areas, and trails managed by Coconino County are open for public enjoyment; this excludes Louise Yellowman County Park. While many amenities have opened, all playgrounds managed by Coconino County Parks & Recreation remain closed at this time. Check our website for updated park amenity information.
All playgrounds, basketball courts, ramadas (including picnic tables and barbecue grills), and restroom facilities managed by Coconino County Parks & Recreation remain closed at this time.
We encourage you to engage in responsible physical and social distancing when recreating outdoors. Parks, natural areas, and trails managed by Coconino County are open for public enjoyment; this excludes Louise Yellowman County Park.
On April 29, Governor Ducey extended the Stay Home, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected executive order through May 15. All playgrounds, basketball courts, ramadas (including picnic tables and barbecue grills), and restroom facilities managed byCoconino County Parks & Recreation remain closed at this time.
These sites include Fort Tuthill County Park, Raymond County Park, Sawmill County Park, and Peaks View County Park. Louise Yellowman County Park in Tuba City is closed to the public.
Coconino County Parks & Recreation encourages the public to engage in responsible physical and social distancing. Parks, natural areas and trails managed by Coconino County will remain open for public enjoyment; this excludes Louise Yellowman County Park.
Are you looking for things to do, both indoors and outdoors? Check out a few ideas in this newsletter and on Coconino.AZ.Gov/Parks.
CONNECTING PEOPLE, CULTURES, & COMMUNITIES APRIL 2020 COVID-19 Update AMENITY CLOSURES Effective Saturday, April 4 at 5 p.m., all playgrounds, basketball courts, ramadas (including picnic tables and barbecue grills), and restroom facilities managed by Coconino County Parks and Recreation will…
COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County Parks & Recreation is staffing its office virtually to help protect the team and the public during the COID-19 pandemic. Virtual staffing at Parks & Recreation began on March 19 and will continue through at…
CONNECTING PEOPLE, CULTURES, & COMMUNITIES MARCH 2020 Spring is in the Air HEAD OUTDOORS FOR SPRING BREAK If you’re lucky enough to plan some activities for an upcoming spring break, maybe you already know there are many benefits of being…
CONNECTING PEOPLE, CULTURES, & COMMUNITIES FEBRUARY 2020 Get involved in your parks and recreation CALL TO ARTISTS Coconino County Parks & Recreation is seeking proposals from Arizona artists or artist teams who create large-scale, three-dimensional sculptures to be a part…
Coconino County Parks & Recreation is seeking proposals from Arizona artists, or artist teams, for large-scale, three-dimensional sculptures. Awarded sculptures will be a part of a public exhibition at Sawmill Multicultural and Nature County Park in Flagstaff. Sawmill County Park is…
CONNECTING PEOPLE, CULTURES, & COMMUNITIES JANUARY 2020 Ring in the New Year FLAGSTAFF TRAILS INITIATIVE There’s no time like the present to weigh in on the Flagstaff Regional Trail Strategy. The draft strategy developed by the Flagstaff Trails Initiative is…
CONNECTING PEOPLE, CULTURES, & COMMUNITIES DECEMBER 2019 Winter, Fitness, & the Outdoors OUTDOOR WINTER FUN The colder weather can be a great time to get outdoors and experience nature. According to the National Recreation & Park Association, 46% of people…
CONNECTING PEOPLE, CULTURES, & COMMUNITIES NOVEMBER 2019 Seasonal Updates Get the latest weather and winter storm information at the U.S. National Weather Service – Flagstaff. Looking for snow play options in Flagstaff? Discover Flagstaff has locations and a map. FACILITIES…
Coconino County Parks & Recreation is hosting the 70th annual Coconino County Fair, on Labor Day Weekend, Aug. 30 – Sept. 2 at Fort Tuthill County Park. The County Fair is a community event where adult and youth exhibit animals…
CONNECTING PEOPLE, CULTURES & COMMUNITIES JULY 2019 Celebrate Park & Recreation Month LOOKING TO CONNECT MORE WITH YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, & LOVED ONES? Visit your parks, natural areas, and open spaces during the month of July and celebrate Park and…
Master Plan Update Spring 2019 Community Connections Coconino County Parks & Recreation connected with many organizations across Coconino County last year during the Master Plan process, and as a result, has provided information and consultation related to parks and recreation…
COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County Parks & Recreation is hosting a volunteer park cleanup event on Saturday, April 20, from 9 – 11 a.m. at Fort Tuthill County Park in celebration of Earth Day. Volunteers, of all ages, are asked…
CONNECTING PEOPLE, CULTURES & COMMUNITIES APRIL 2019 Volunteer Event at Fort Tuthill County Park APRIL 20 – VOLUNTEER EVENT Join us on Saturday, April 20, from 9-11 a.m. at Fort Tuthill County Park for an Earth Day cleanup! We’ll…
CONNECTING PEOPLE, CULTURES & COMMUNITIES MARCH, 2019 Master Plan Survey Closes Mar. 17 Master Plan Survey Have you filled out the Parks & Recreation Master Plan Survey yet? Go to http://www.ccprsurvey.org/open. It only takes a few minutes. These are Your…
Master Plan Update February 27, 2019 Take the survey Shape Your Parks, Your Future We need your input! The Master Plan Survey is now available online. Earlier this month, a random sample of Coconino County households received a survey through…
CONNECTING PEOPLE, CULTURES & COMMUNITIES JANUARY, 2019 STEP INTO WINTER Water Harvesting A big Thank You to Lowell Observatory for donating a 30,000-gallon water tank that will be used for rainwater harvesting at Fort Tuthill County Park, and to BEC…
