News

Jul

2020

EXCITING NEW THINGS for YCNHA

EXCITING NEW THINGS IN STORE FOR THE YUMA CROSSING NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA
July 20, 2020

Yuma, Arizona – Earlier this year, the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area (YCNHA) received the official approval of the Master Plan (Plan) for the future development of the Yuma Territorial Prison (YTP) and Colorado River state historic parks by Arizona State Parks & Trails. This exciting plan includes new interactive exhibits utilizing some of the latest in audio and visual technology, in addition to much needed restoration and preservation of the historic buildings gracing these two Yuma gems that will be key pieces of the future development of an historic “Mega Park” concept in the YCNHA footprint.
Dynamic waterfront locations in the Desert Southwest are not easy to find, but historic downtown Yuma, located along the shores of the Lower Colorado River, offers a wide variety of entertainment options within reasonable walking distance. We are confident that a collective impact effort bringing the aspirational concept map of a “Mega Park” to life will help put Yuma on the map as an historical destination.
Big changes are coming for the Colorado River State Historic Park (CRSHP) in particular. For the past number of years, Visit Yuma (VY) has operated a Visitors Information Center (VIC) from the front of the CRSHP, as well as assisted with park admissions there. VY recently announced that it is moving operations, including the VIC, to a new location by the end of September of this year. Therefore, effective October 1, the YCNHA will be handling CRSHP admissions on its own.
We are looking forward to what amounts to an acceleration of plans to turn the CRSHP main entry building into a center for an introduction to the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area. This will include an enhanced theatre highlighting new footage of exhibits inside the CRSHP, history of the Colorado River, definition of a National Heritage Area, as well as photos and information describing other parts of the YCNHA such as the YTP, wetlands, Pivot Point, other areas of historical interest, as well as a few new surprises!
The citizens of Yuma, as well as all visitors to our fair city, can rest assured that our team of passionate professionals will continue to work hard to ensure a memorable and safe experience at all of our YCNHA facilities. Visit the YCNHA website, www.yumaheritage.com to learn more about our team, and to view the Plan, and as the aforementioned aspirational concept map of our vision for the future.
Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area (YCNHA)

National Heritage Areas are places where historic, cultural and natural resources combine to form cohesive, nationally important landscapes. The story of water and its impact on the people and land is the key to understanding the history of Yuma. Sitting at the narrows of the Lower Colorado River, the City of Yuma is often referred to as, “The Gateway to the Great Southwest.” It is the oldest city established on the Colorado River. The Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area encompasses seven square miles along the Lower Colorado River in Yuma, Arizona and Winterhaven, California. It includes the Yuma Crossing National Historic Landmark, the Yuma Territorial Prison and Colorado River State Historic Parks, Fort Yuma, and over 3 miles of contiguous riverfront parks, trails, and 400 acres of restored wetlands.
The YCNHA continues to work hard to increase awareness and educate the community about who we are and our value to the community. We have been restoring, preserving, maintaining, and promoting Yuma’s history and heritage for the past twenty years and have been a driving force behind much of Yuma’s riverfront transformation. For more information, visit www.YumaHeritage.com, or contact Sarah Halligan at sarah.halligan@yumaaz.gov.