A Note from Executive Director Jamie Maslyn Larson
January 24, 2025Central Park in New York City may seem a world away from Tucson, but it shares a powerful connection with Tohono Chul.
In the mid-1800’s, lower Manhattan had some of the highest density of development in the western hemisphere. Civic leaders and philanthropists had a grand idea to set aside a massive amount of land to create a haven for people to escape the crowded, unhealthy conditions. They decided on a name—Central Park—when it was far from any development or people. In fact, at that time, the 843-acre site and its surroundings were rural, with small settlements, farms, marshes, and rocky outcrops.
The leaders who envisioned a need for a large park were prescient about the future needs of a growing city, setting aside the land as a sanctuary—a public space that offered access to nature and recreation spaces for all New Yorkers. Today, Central Park is indeed engulfed by dense development and enjoyed by tens of millions of residents and tourists every year.
Now, Tucson is no New York City, but the idea of Tohono Chul, as envisioned by Dick and Jean Wilson, shares similar traits:
- A Place for People: when the Wilsons built the Haunted Bookshop in 1979, they began creating paths, installing picnic tables, and building places in the surrounding landscapes for people to explore and relax. Today, we welcome tens of thousands of folks into our gardens to use this as their own “park.”
- A Sanctuary: At 49 acres, the sheer size of Tohono Chul’s landscape supports an array of wildlife and ecological communities. Dick and Jean hoped that visitors would “achieve greater appreciation of the ways of conserving all our precious desert region.”
- An Urban Haven: at the dedication on April 19, 1985, Jean Wilson said “We wanted to keep something natural in the middle of all the (surrounding) development so that people could come easily for a few hours…” As Oro Valley and Tucson’s development and population has grown over 40 years, Tohono Chul is now more accessible than ever for folks to experience an enchanting destination in the heart of the city.
The story of Central Park reminds us of the profound impact of visionary action. In the 1800s, leaders set aside land for future generations to connect with nature and find solace amidst urban life. Their foresight has touched countless lives for nearly two centuries.
Today, Tohono Chul stands as Tucson’s own vision of a sanctuary—more than a garden, it’s a legacy and a gift to the future. Thanks to Dick and Jean Wilson’s passion, we have a haven that celebrates the beauty and culture of the Sonoran Desert and offers inspiration to all who visit.
But our journey isn’t over. Like Central Park, Tohono Chul will evolve and grow as a place where nature and people thrive together. As we approach celebrating our 40th anniversary in April, we’ll continue to reflect on the Wilson’s vision to ensure that this sanctuary will thrive for generations to come.
We are excited for the future and grateful for your support. Thank you for being part of our community of stewards.
Jamie Maslyn Larson
Executive Director
jamie@tohonochul.org