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National Park Service celebrates 100th birthday with free admission

The National Park Service was created in 1916 by President Woodrow Wilson in order to quote “conserve the scenery and the natural historic objects, and provide for the enjoyment of future generations”.

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Thursday through this Sunday, the entrance fee is waived for all 412 national parks around the country.

In honor of the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, the Chief Historian Emeritus of the Park Service made a stop at Timberland Park. Also, for many years, African-Americans were excluded from national parks and other public resources, he said.

Philip Bryce, director of the state Division of Parks and Recreation, called the centennial a unique opportunity to recognize the importance of the parks. Muir had educated President Teddy Roosevelt on the need to establish a national park system when he brought him to a three-day wilderness trip at Yosemite.

The history of minorities in national parks isn’t always well-known.

Asian-Americans, meanwhile, can be reluctant to travel outside their ethnic circles, and they might find few billboards or brochures in their language at national parks, said Mark Masaoka of the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council. Rising temperatures could mean no more glaciers in Glacier National Park.

Throughout the year, the National Park Service is expanding outreach and programming.

The passing of the Organic Act to establish the National Park Service was a bi-partisan effort. National Parks truly embody the Woody Guthrie Song, “This Land is Your Land”. Because these parks belong to all of us. The best way to celebrate this anniversary is to enjoy a National Park with your family. More information is available on the park website. We learn about our history when we visit Shiloh and Gettysburg National Military Parks, Ft.

Rains said Jewell will visit as many major areas of the park that time will allow.

A hidden gem in the mountains above Cedar City, Utah, Cedar Breaks National Monument is a fantastic way to get away from the crowds of Zion and Bryce Canyon.

In the evening, join park rangers for a Centennial evening campfire program at the Mazama Amphitheatre at 8 p.m.

In South Dakota, we celebrate the great outdoors.

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If not at Shiloh, then at one of the other 411 sites … we’ll only be 100 once!

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