by 
Visitors can enjoy Kannally House year round now thanks to the Friends of Oracle State Park. John Hernandez | Miner
San Manuel Miner
Thanks to the Friends of Oracle State Park the Oracle State Park Center for Environmental Education will be open on Saturdays and Sundays year round from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For the past several years the park has only been open on the weekends seasonally from October through April. The Friends of Oracle State Park have been instrumental in keeping the park open and have worked with Arizona State Parks in increasing the open dates from seasonal to year round.
Jennifer Rinio, Park Ranger said that Executive Director Brian Martin has a soft spot in his heart for Oracle State Park. She also said that the remote parking area at the entrance off of American Avenue will be open earlier in the summer for hikers to avoid the heat of the day. The new year round hours will allow the park to continue to provide environmental education and enjoyment of the outdoors for everyone. The park offers school programs during the week by reservation. Reservations can be made by calling 520-896-2425. Group facilities are available for weddings and other group activities. Park admission is $7 per vehicle up to four adults. For more information about Oracle State Park call 896-2425 or visit AZStateParks.com./parks/ORAC.
The park has ongoing guided tours of the historic Kannally Ranch House; an exhibit of Lee Kannally paintings; and a wildlife slide show. The schedule for April events is displayed below.
Saturday, April 19: Guided Hike led by Gaston Meloche and a guest geologist, 8:30 a.m.,5-6 mile hike. Reservation required. Free with park admission.
Saturday, April 19: Reptile Walk with Herpetologist, Ed Moll, 11 a.m. Reservation required.
Wilderness Talk: Join Rod Mondt of the Sky Island Alliance, at 3 p.m. for a presentation about wilderness and protected areas on this year’s 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act.
Sunday, April 20: Guided Plant Walk with Chuck LeFevre. Meet at the Ranch House at 11 a.m.
Saturday, April 26: Ask Your Master Gardener, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Kannally Ranch House.
Master Gardener Talk: The Native Mesquites, 11:30 a.m.
Sunday April 27: Music in the Park, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Creosote Ring returns to perform a mix of bluegrass, blues, and eclectic Americana.
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.
by by