From a 1974 student plan to its 1983 dedication, the park stands as a triumph of preservation
Written by Devon Sloan, September 2024
Catalina State Park Entrance
When classes at the University of Arizona resumed in 1974, Dr. Stanley K. Brickler, Professor in the School of Renewable Natural Resources at the University of Arizona, met with State Parks Director, Dennis McCarthy, and offered the services of one of his classes to develop a master plan for Catalina State Park.
Dr. Brickler secured the approval for his class of 19 students to work with the Agency’s planning staff to develop the plan. This came after Representative Charles King had introduced House Bill 2280 early in the 1974 session to establish Catalina State Park. The reason behind this was that a proposed development called Rancho Romero was poised to accommodate 17,000 people with housing units surrounding golf courses along the Canada del Oro and Sutherland Washes. Of course, residents preferred preserving the area as open space.
In December 1975, the State Parks Board agreed to swap land which had been purchased by homesteaders, wealthy easterners, and local developers for what would become part of our beloved state park. And then, two years later, in December 1977, the final plan for the park was approved by the State Parks Board. This led to the dedication of Catalina State Park in 1983!
Trail Sign at Catalina State Park