Valley of the Moon wins historic landmark status

Tucson’s fairies have won the right to stay in their homes.

North side children’s attraction Valley of the Moon will receive status as a city historic landmark after neighbors backed away from a fight and agreed to a meeting.

The City Council unanimously approved the new historic landmark zoning for the Valley of the Moon Tuesday before an audience of costumed supporters in wacky hats and fairy tale dress.

The 2.3-acre property at 2544 E. Allen Road, near East Prince Road and North Tucson Boulevard, was built by George Phar Legler in the 1920s and opened in 1932. It includes an amphitheater, fairy house, gnome village and enchanted castle, among other features.

Council Member Karin Uhlich called the park “a unique treasure.”

The historic landmark zoning encourages preservation and rehabilitation of significant historical resources, Assistant City Manager Albert Elias said in a letter to the council.

In a Zoning Examiner’s public hearing last month, 85 supporters and 23 protesters wrote to the city about the rezoning.

The Colonia Del Rey Homeowners Association was preparing to formally challenge the landmark status but withdrew its opposition Tuesday.

Neighborhood spokesman Phil Oliver said the neighborhood now gives “cautious support” to the project.

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“For the past two years, Valley of the Moon has often not conducted its business in a neighborly way, and made living in our homes very difficult,” Oliver told the council.

He wants the park to sign an agreement with the neighborhood about the terms of a peaceful coexistence, and the neighborhood won a meeting, organized by the city, to talk to the managers about noise, traffic and parking problems and other issues.

The meeting is a path toward a resolution that honors neighborhood quality of life and the preservation of the attraction, Uhlich said.

“I know the common ground is there for this dialogue to continue,” she said.

When Valley of the Moon opened in 1932, the DeGrazias, Ronstadts and Kellners were the only neighbors, “and there were huge, vast landscapes surrounding the place, which was part of the appeal for George Legler when he purchased the property,” said Zack Jarrett, Valley of the Moon board president. The neighborhood grew up around it.

“We have committed, publicly, again and again, to meeting with the neighbors,” Jarrett said. “… We continue to endeavor to be good neighbors.”

Demion Clinco, president of the Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation, has helped Valley of the Moon with its landmark status.

“It’s really great to see the neighbors come together, but it’s unfortunate that this process has taken over five years,” Clinco said. “…It certainly has been very taxing on everyone involved.”