CONTACT: Daniel Vandever, Public Information Officer
Phone: 928-810-8510
Email: dwvandever@gmail.com

Four Corners Monument under construction from March 2010 to August 2010, monument improvement and a face-lift for vending areas

Vendors take a hit at Four Corners Monument

FOUR CORNERS –The Four Corners Monument is a popular destination among travelers because it holds the distinction of being the only place in the United States where four states intersect at one point. Unfortunately for travelers, any hope of being in four states at one time for the past few months has been dashed due to the construction of the monument.

The monument, which has been under construction since March, is about 90% complete and is scheduled to be open by July 30. The Four Corners Tribal Park is currently closed Monday through Thursday, and while the park is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the monument is fenced off to the public.

“I’m a little disappointed,” stated Gloria Recar, who stopped at the monument on a trip from Missouri. “But at least I can still see into the four different states.”

Visitors haven’t been the only ones affected by the construction. Vendors have access to the park over the weekend, but they are feeling the affect of not working during the week.

“Business has been about 1/3 of what it usually is,” explained Aaron Thompson of Farmington, New Mexico. “Our booths are usually filled with people, but crowds have been a lot smaller.”

Alice Toney of Montezuma Creek, Utah, whose mother was one of the first vendors in 1968, also has been experiencing the effect of the construction.

“Business has been awful,” stated Toney. “Friday is like Monday morning and by the time we get going and Monday comes around, we’re back down to square one.”

There are 43 vendor booths at the Four Corners Tribal Park, but with the slow business, several booths have been empty. Many vendors livelihood is supported by the business they receive at the Tribal Park and they are having a hard time supporting themselves.

“Vendors here are supported by the Tribal Park,” explained Ron Etcitty of Shiprock, New Mexico. “My vehicle is about to be impounded. All we are trying to do is survive.”

With the monument’s completion only about a week away, business is expected to turn around; however, once the monument is complete, construction will continue until September as Navajo Parks and Recreation also wants to construct new vendor booths.

The construction will be separate from the actual monument, so visitors will still be able to pose for photographs in the four states at one time.

Admission into the Four Corners Monument is $3 per vehicle and hours of operation is Friday through Sunday, 8 – 5 pm.

If you have any questions, please contact Navajo Parks and Recreation Department at 928.871.6647 or visit our website at www.navajonationparks.org.

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