Discovery Park Campus

Gov Aker Observatory Telescope

EAC Classes/Events
Facilities Rentals
Open to the Public
School & Special Tours
MGIO Tours
Circle D Ranch
Nature’s Hideaway
Thatcher/Safford

History of Discovery Park Campus

The idea for a visitor’s center for the Mt. Graham International Observatory (MGIO) in Safford began in the mid-1980s. Plans for the center quickly expanded and eventually became known as Discovery Park, an education and entertainment retreat, emphasizing the science and culture of the Gila Valley, from mining and agriculture to space exploration.

The University of Arizona donated a research-grade 20” Cassegrain reflector telescope and dome for the Gov Aker Observatory. The Vatican Observatory donated a radio telescope and loans several exhibits to the park, including an astrolabe made in 1608 and the Mertz Telescope, constructed in 1870 in Morocco. A full-motion simulator takes guests on a ride past Mt. Graham to tour the solar system. As the park grew, Nature’s Hideaway was added as a riparian habitat just east of the Gov Aker Observatory. And a replica of an 1860s steam locomotive delivered guests to the Circle D ranch past the wildlife habitat.

In the summer of 2006, the park came under the control of Eastern Arizona College’s Governing Board. The park now has a much better foundation upon which it can thrive as an educational campus, emphasizing science and technology for the leaders of tomorrow.” The park, which is now known as Eastern Arizona College’s Discovery Park Campus, will continue as a multi-purpose educational facility. The MGIO Tours will continue and the facility will still be available for group rentals. EAC classes such as Rocketry and Environmental Biology will continue, and the College will be planning additional course offerings and events which will allow students and the community to take advantage of the unique environmental, technological, and educational features of the park.

Campus Availability

Open to the public Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday, 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. General admission fees to the park have been discontinued by EAC. Special fees for certain performances and activities at the park may be charged as per EAC’s current policy.

Facilities Rentals

For more information, contact Harry Swanson at harry.swanson@eac.edu. All EAC policies and regulations will apply to Discovery Park Campus. To foster safe and appropriate educational environment for students, the existing EAC policy prohibiting the use of alcohol and drugs apply to all Discovery Park Campus facilities and areas.