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Five
Fun Ways to Celebrate National Park Week
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Washington,
DC – March 2017 / Newsmaker Alert / Ring in spring with a visit to
a national park during National
Park Week, April 15 through 23. Throughout the country, hundreds of
programs and events will encourage visitors to explore new places and enjoy
new experiences. More information is available at www.nationalparkweek.org.
“Our
National Parks are our national treasure,” said Secretary of the Interior
Ryan Zinke. “My formative years were spent in Glacier National Park and
one of my biggest mentors was a park ranger and football coach. The lessons
you learn from the land and the park rangers cannot be learned anywhere
else on earth. As we head into the next 100 years of the Park Service,
I’m looking at ways to improve infrastructure and visitor experience while
conserving the precious lands for generations to come.”
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“There
are 417 national parks and each one has a story to tell,” said Acting National
Park Service Director Michael T. Reynolds. “There are endless options during
National Park Week to discover someplace or something out of the ordinary.
Whether one seeks relaxation, exhilaration, or inspiration, there is something
for everyone in a national park.”
Following
are just five of the fun ways you can celebrate National Park Week.
Try
Something New
Introductory
programs during National Park Week might just get you hooked on a new interest.
Brush up on astronomy at a Night Sky Party in Saguaro National Park, go
birding at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, take a photo
workshop at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, make pottery at Ocmulgee
National Monument, dance to Cajun music at Jean Lafitte National Historical
Park and Preserve, or try your hand at surf fishing at Gateway National
Recreation Area.
Save
Some Money
There
will be free entrance to all national parks during the weekends of National
Park Week. The 118 National Park Service sites that normally charge entrance
fees will offer free admission on April 15, 16, 22, and 23. There are also
free or reduced rate annual passes available for active duty military families,
fourth grade students, senior citizens, volunteers, and people with permanent
disabilities.
Become
a Junior Ranger
National
Park Week starts with National Junior Ranger Day on April 15. Throughout
the country, kids of all ages can take part in family friendly events and
earn a park-specific Junior Ranger badge. Children can see a bald eagle
up close at Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, participate
in crafts at Lowell National Historical Park, go on an archeology dig at
Chiricahua National Monument, or test their global positioning system (GPS)
skills in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.
Fill
a Park Prescription
The
second annual Park Prescription Day will be filled with activities that
showcase the physical, mental, and psychological health benefits of time
in nature. Supported by increasing scientific evidence, many medical doctors
now write prescriptions for the outdoors as an antidote for ailments such
as diabetes, high blood pressure, and depression. On April 23, dozens of
parks, including Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Shenandoah National
Park, Capulin Volcano National Monument, Tumacácori National Historical
Park, Prince William Forest Park, Hot Springs National Park, and park partners
will host activities that include hikes, health screenings, yoga, and volleyball.
Go
Wild on Earth Day
Spend
some time outside on Earth Day, April 22. Attend a wildlife festival on
the Natchez Trace Parkway, go for a walk on the wild side at Cabrillo National
Monument, learn to canoe on the Niobrara National Scenic River, make an
appearance at a drama festival at Chamizal National Memorial, listen to
a concert at Buffalo National River, weave a pine needle basket at Fort
Matanzas National Monument, or meet a Civil War soldier at Stones River
National Battlefield.
Visit
www.NPS.gov to plan your park visit.
The site contains trip planning information and a calendar of events. Use
#FindYourPark, #EncuentraTuParque and #NPS101 on social media during National
Park Week to join in the fun!
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About
the National Park Service
More
than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 417 national
parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local
history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at
www.NPS.gov,
on Facebook Facebook.com/nationalparkservice,
Twitter Twitter.com/natlparkservice,
and YouTube YouTube.com/nationalparkservice.
About
the National Park Foundation
The
National Park Foundation is
the official charity of America’s national parks and nonprofit partner
to the National Park Service. Chartered by Congress in 1967, the National
Park Foundation raises private funds to help PROTECT more than 84 million
acres of national parks through critical conservation and preservation
efforts, CONNECT all Americans with their incomparable natural landscapes,
vibrant culture and rich history, and INSPIRE the next generation of park
stewards. Find out more and become a part of the national park community
at www.NationalParks.org.
Media
Contact:
Kathy
Kupper (NPS)
202-208-6843 |