Park: Oracle State Park
Guest: Jennifer Rinio, Park Ranger
Summary: Hear about the upcoming wreath-making workshop, the historic Kannally Ranch House, and what you can do at this day use, educational park.
Intro Music
Host:
Welcome to the Arizona State Parks Audio Update. Today we're talking about Oracle State Park: Center for Environmental Education which is located in Southern Arizona, about 35 miles north of Tucson. Oracle is 4,000 acre wildlife refuge in the northern foothills of the Catalina Mountains. Once part of the Kannally family ranch, the park also offers house tours of the unique Mediterranean style ranch house that now serves as the park's visitor center. Joining us today to talk about the park is Park Ranger Jennifer Rinio, hi Jen.
Park Ranger Jennifer Rinio:
Hello, thanks for having me.
Host:
Jennifer, let's briefly talk more about the park, what is the purpose of Oracle State Park?
Rinio:
Oracle State Park is 4,000 acre wildlife refuge and Environmental Education center. We have school programs that take place on the trails with interactive activities that teach about habitat and interrelationships. People come to hike the Arizona Trail that runs through the park, and of course, to visit the historic Kannally ranch house which is a four level Mediterranean style villa that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Host:
We want to mention that Oracle is a day use park only, there is no camping allowed at the park, but there's a lot of day use activities available, tell us more what people can do at the park.
Rinio:
Yes we have programs and workshops and presentations and guided walks scheduled throughout the year. We have music in the park which takes place February through April and is an opportunity to enjoy the views of the scenery form the patios of the ranch house while listening to music and appreciating the sunset and the community here in the Oracle.
Host:
Now Jennifer you're involved with many interpretive education programs at the park and I'd like to highlight a specific event on December 13, a holiday wreath making workshop where the wreaths are made from natural materials gathered at the park. Tell us more.
Rinio:
I started this workshop about six years ago and participants come up to the park and we take them into groups and we gather some of the natural plant materials that grows here at the park, such as juniper and mistletoe, and other plants that make great wreath making materials. Participants make their own wreaths at the park to decorate with during the holiday season. It’s also a good way to learn more about the plants here through hands-on education.
Host:
Finally on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays: the park offers guided tours of the Ranch House you were telling us about, starting times are at 10 am and 2 pm, the tour last about 45 minutes. What do people see on the tour?
Rinio:
The Kannally ranch house is a unique structure; it’s four levels built up the hillside. Off of each level there are patios with gorgeous views of the surrounding scenery. The house itself has a Moorish influence, which is a Spanish era design so throughout the house you see archways and wrought iron lamps and original hand-painting around bookcases and windows , and on the beams of the ceiling. There’s original artwork on the walls as well . Paintings by Lee Kannally , one of the brothers who lives here. So there’s lots to see throughout the house and outside visitors enjoy the garden patios on each of those levels that are maintained by our volunteers here.
Host:
Thank you so much for joining us today Jennifer.
Rinio:
Thank you for having me.
Host:
Oracle State Park Center for Environmental Education is located in Oracle Arizona about 35 miles north of Tucson. Visit our website AZStateParks.com, visit the park pages for Oracle and click on Maps to download a printable park map and trail map. You also can downloads park recommended driving directions and a Junior Ranger activity. Learn more about upcoming park activities also. The Holiday Wreath-Making Workshop will be from 1 - 4 pm on December 13 at Oracle State Park. There is an additional fee for this activity. Please call the park at 520-896-2425 to make a reservation for this event . And we'll see you at the park. For Arizona State Parks I'm Tye R Farrell.
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Commentator:
Arizona State Parks: Managing and serving Arizona’s natural, cultural and recreational resources for the benefit of the people both in our parks and through our partnerships. Visit us on the web as azstateparks.com.
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