Slide Rock State Park is located in Oak Creek Canyon, 7 miles north of Sedona. It was originally the Frank Pendley Homestead which he acquired through the Homestead Act in 1910. In 1912 Pendley developed a unique water irrigation system and planted a large apple orchard and vegetable garden on his 43 acre property. By 1933 the family had built cabins and opened the farm to tourists. His descendants continued to manage the property for the next 70 years. In 1982 the family decided to sell the property. When current Arizona Governor Babbitt heard about this he created The Arizona Parkland Foundation. The foundation would be a non-profit corporation that would acquire (purchase) and receive gifts of land that would be donated to the Arizona State Parks agency. The foundation was able to secure a loan for $3,600,000 but unfortunately fundraising and private donations to pay back the loan were not meeting expectations. In 1985 Arizona House Bill 2391 introduced a State Park Acquisition and Development Fund that would acquire the Pendley Homestead along with Orade Site, Davis Camp, Hualapai House, Yuma Crossing and Picket Post House. This bill met with some opposition but on July 9, 1985 the Pendley Homestead was purchased by Arizona State Parks from the State Park Foundation. In October of 1987 the 43 acre parcel became an official Arizona State Park.
Peter first visited Sedona in 1978. The rich crimson red (iron oxide) color in the rock formations is incredible, unlike any other color experienced in nature. Over the course of Peter’s art career his work has been represented in both Sedona and Scottsdale. There is only 1 painting remaining of the Sedona area and that is a painting from Slide Rock State Park. The painting's title is Rock Slide- Slide Rock. The rock slide in the title may be in reference to the large boulders in Oak Creek and on its banks. It may also refer to the 80 foot long, 4 foot wide natural water slide which is created by the fast moving current over the large boulders. It is quite a tourist attraction. I hear the creek water is 43 degrees even in the summer!
Rock Slide-Slide Rock is currently available at the Marshall Gallery in Scottsdale, AZ.