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Vince Micallef is the new manager at the Oracle State Park.
Vince Micallef has been named the new manager of Oracle State Park. Vince has over 30 years experience in the field of parks and recreation.
Vince grew up in Lakeport, Michigan. He attended Central Michigan University earning a Master’s Degree in Parks & Recreation. He went to work for the Department of National Resources for state parks in Michigan and later worked for Walt Disney World in Florida.
Vince has been in Arizona for 20 years. He has worked as the Parks & Recreation Director for the City of Avondale, Outreach Manager and West Valley Regional Coordinator for Maricopa County, Community Services/Recreation Director and Interim Town Manager for the city of Youngtown, and the Library Director in Sun City West. He is an advocate for Arizona Parks & Recreation and a member of the National Recreation and Park Association.
Oracle State Park has 4,000 acres which Vince will be managing. Vince has a real interest in trails, conservation and wildlife which attracted him to Oracle State Park. “I like what’s going on with state parks. I am excited about what they are trying to do to become self-sustaining,” he said. A big part of that plan will be finding revenue sources.
Vince believes that Oracle State Park has a “very strong foundation” to build on. He cited the Environmental Education Program, Dark Skies and the Arizona Trail as important parts of the foundation.
“Oracle State Park is the only state park that the Arizona Trail runs through,” he said. “All our hiking trails link up with the Arizona Trail.”
He would like to see more events such as the “Oracle Rumble” race which was successful, bringing hundreds of people to the park. By partnering with the Arizona Trail Association, he hopes to bring more events to the park and more hikers, equestrians and cyclists.
Oracle State Park was the first state park to establish Dark Skies and at one time was one of only 20 Dark Skies parks in the world. Vince will be working with them to increase the number of Dark Skies programs and events. Opening up primitive camping areas in the park will allow astronomers and guests to stay overnight to observe the skies.
Camping sites will be open to the public and there is the possibility of renovating some of the old cottages in the park for rentals. Vince would like to open the park for more events such as family reunions and special occasions. The park and the Kannally ranch area are already open for weddings. They are great venues for club and group meetings.
Vince would like to see more areas in the park provide more resources to wildlife. He talked about some waterholes being added using existing windmills to pump well water and creating a butterfly garden. The park will need some renovations and upgrades to see all of this happen. It will take funding and volunteers to make it a success.
“We are very fortunate to have the Friends of Oracle State Park and other volunteer groups working with us,” Vince said. “It takes every group that we have to make it work.”
He added, “We have some great volunteers that work on projects such as maintenance, installing donated park benches and gardeners and landscapers that create areas that attract birds and insects.”
Oracle State Park is looking into the possibility of networking with other agencies and businesses to be an anchor for attracting tourism to the Oracle area.
“The park is trying to be the best neighbor they can be,” said Vince. The park invites feedback from the community and public and any ideas they may have on how the park can be improved. “I hope with my being here to be able to take on the challenge and expand all the positive things that have happened here to make the park self-sustaining for future generations,” he added.
The park is open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information about Oracle State Park or becoming a volunteer visit azstateparks.com/oracle. Like them on Facebook.
John Hernandez lives in Oracle. He is retired and enjoys writing and traveling. He is active in the Oracle Historical Society. He covers numerous public events, researches historical features and writes business/artist profiles.
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