Volunteer of Catalina State Park Pat Damiani (left) and President of the Friends Group Andy Gaudielle (right)
Linda Harvey
Located only 10 miles from SaddleBrooke Ranch, Catalina State Park offers visitors 5,500 acres of pristine Sonoran Desert Landscape to enjoy. The park is home to rugged canyons, saguaro cacti, and seasonal streams with diverse desert flora and fauna. With trails, stunning views, and overnight campsite parking, the park is perfect for a day visit or longer stays.
The SaddleBrooke Ranch National Parks Club hosted Park Volunteer Pat Damiani to discuss Catalina State Park—past, present, and future—at its January meeting. Also in attendance was President of the Friends Group of Catalina State Park Andy Gaudielle who discussed ways to support the park.
Volunteer Damiani explained that the land that is now Catalina State Park was lived on for 1,000-years by the indigenous Hokokam peoples. Once the land was settled in the 1800s, there were several owners. After a complex process that began in the early 1970s when public opposition arose against a proposed housing development of the land known then as Rancho Romero, the park was established and dedicated by Governor Bruce Babbitt on May 25, 1983. In 1991, all the State land within the boundary of the Park became property of the Coronado National Forest and today the land is managed by State Parks under a Special Use Permit from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. The Park offers a perfect balance between wilderness adventure and accessibility for the enjoyment of all.
Some of the activities include:
* Night Walks throughout the year
* Guided Bird walks (October through May)
* Interpretative Hikes (December through May)
* Star Parties (October through April)
* Invasive Grass Removal
* Horse Back Riding on designated trails. Ride your own horse, or contact Rancho De Los Cerros. The park provides an equestrian staging area with ample trailer parking, water troughs, and mounting ramps for convenient access.
* Overnight Camping with electricity and water is also available.
Please check out the website for more information and possible registration requirements: azstateparks.com/Catalina
The Arizona State Parks, including Catalina State Park, operate on a fee-based structure. Annual passes are available.
Volunteering is an option for developing a deeper connection to Catalina State Park. Some of the positions available are working as part of a trail-crews, or at the ranger station, or the gift shop. There is also a Friends Group that focuses on monetary donations. President of the Friends Group, Andy Gaudielle, explained that the most direct way of supporting the Park is through the Friends of Catalina State Park. For more information, go to friendscsp.org.
The SBR National Parks Club meets on the second Tuesday of each month. In addition to outside speakers, the club has presentations by members on park trips they have taken, and on any special knowledge they may have on our parks. This could include information on geology, history, or culture. In addition, trips—both day and overnight—are planned.
For more information, please send an email to linda_harvey@hotmail.com.