Everyone who spoke, from the master of ceremonies, Steve Bell, chairman of the Yuma Crosssing National Heritage Area Corporation, to the mayor Larry Nelson, the outgoing congressman Ed Pastor and the incoming Raul Grijalva, spoke of how this project, ten years in the making so far, has come about because of a partnership from many different organizations. They stressed, too, the importance of much volunteer efforts, as well as paid contributors.

Also, representatives of both the National Park Service and the Arizona State Parks gave their speeches, as well. Karen Wade, Director of the Inter-Mountain NPS region raised her hat to our cities efforts.

The park will encompass 110 acres when fully completed, which is expected to take four years. Even now, there are the beginnings of an hummingbird garden, with still-small red hued blooms. Nevertheless, the freshly planted plants are already attracting hummingbirds, for Julia and I saw one.

There is a butterfly garden in the plans, as well, with the shape of a butterfly. To celebrate this, a small cage filled with butterflies was opened, and the tiny beauties were set free upon the park.

This photo is of one of the tiny butterflies, who was a little dazed before it flitted off to the flowers.

Much of the park is still cleared ground, but even this stage is quite remarkable. Much of the park lands had been the city dump for seventy years. Now West Wetlands Park is the largest environmental revegetation project of its kind in the country. The lady in the photo above is looking at one of the three detailed plan maps. There will be a Natural History Interpretive Center and Museum, an amphitheater, ponds, and the earlier mentioned butterfly and hummingbird gardens. There will be walkways alongside the Colorado River. It is a truly ambitious project which has been visualized, one that will give much prestige to Yuma city, as well as beauty and recreation for her inhabitants.

From across the river, our California neighbors say ''Thank You, Yuma'', in a large banner.

At two of the park ramadas, free tacos, hot dogs, and bottled water were available. Following the ceremony, Yuma's String Ambassadors performed classical music while the public toured the complex. There were shuttle bus tours of the park, with several informational stops. Also,Yuma's parks and recreation department offered free canoe trips from Yuma Crossing Colorado River Park.

It will be exciting to watch the plans come to life and evolve. We are truly lucky to be in a city with such an active community and ambitious plans.