March 22, 2024

Arizona State Parks and Trails, the Town of Chino Valley and other public and private partners are celebrating the purchase of 734 acres at Del Rio Springs Ranch, near the headwaters of the Verde River, for a new State Park.

The purchase was made with the collaboration of Yavapai County, the national nonprofit Trust for Public Land and the global environmental organization Nature Conservancy. The State Legislature provided a substantial portion of the funding; and the sellers, Del Rio Springs Loan Partners also made a major contribution by selling the land at a significant discount from its appraised value.

A press release from Trust for Public Land says the new park will protect Sullivan Lake at the start of the Verde River, enable the extension of the Peavine National Recreation Trail from Prescott to the river, and preserve local and state history.

Josh Freeman | KAZM News Director | josh@mellowmountainradio.com