SAFFORD — Safford’s newest park is open for play.
Owens Family Park was celebrated with a graham County Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting on Saturday.
Randa Owens-McKinney, said the Owens family has contributed to the history and growth of the city for five generations, starting with the city’s 11th Mayor J.T. Owens, who served in 1920.
She said the family has built 14 subdivisions in the city; donated land for public use such as the multi-use path and water-retention area, which has now become state policy; helped develop Mt. Graham Golf Club; helped start Safford 200, which became the Graham County Development Board; and built the Graham County Chamber of Commerce building.
The family also started Safford Builders Supply/Ace Hardware in 1938.
“So that was the reason it’s not named after one person in the family, it was the whole culmination of all the contributions to the city of Safford,” Owens-McKinney said.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
Other speakers included Chamber Board President Taylor Banks, interim City Manager Eric Bejarano and Safford Mayor Richard Ortega.
“We are investing in our community,” Ortega said about the new parks. He also thanked the city employees for their work and the Park and Recreation Advisory Committee.
Owens Park, on 14th Avenue at El Paso Boulevard, includes playground equipment, ball fields, a basketball court and two dog parks — one for small dogs and the other for large dogs.
The next park to be developed is Mayor Jason Kouts, at the corner of 8th Avenue and Discovery Park Boulevard. The City Council recently approved the bid to construct the park, which should be open to the public by fall 2027.
