Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
[STK]
[IN] ATL TRA
[SU] POL
-- WITH PHOTO -- TO NATIONAL, AND OUTDOORS EDITORS:
9 Great Days, 9 Great Ways to Celebrate National Park Week
WASHINGTON, April 15, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- From April 19 -
27, the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation will
host National Park Week, featuring special events in parks nationwide.
This year's theme, "National Park Week: Go Wild!" invites visitors to
celebrate all that America's 401 national parks have to offer. With
free admission to all parks on April 19 and 20, and exciting
activities and programs scheduled throughout the week, National Park
Week is the perfect time to discover the diverse wildlife, iconic
landscapes, vibrant culture, and rich history found in America's
national parks.
There are countless ways to enjoy National Park Week. Below are nine
great suggestions happening April 19 - 27 in national parks. A
complete list of National Park Week events taking place across the
country is available at www.nationalparkweek.org.
Go wild for bears. This year the National Park Foundation has teamed
with Disney on the new Disneynature film, "Bears," premiering just in
time for Earth Day and National Park Week on Friday, April 18. For
every ticket sold during "Bears" opening week, April 18-24,
Disneynature will make a contribution to the National Park Foundation
to protect wildlife and wild places across America's National Park
System.
Go wild for Junior Ranger Day. On April 26, young visitors can
celebrate National Junior Ranger Day by taking part in special
family-friendly activities.
Go wild for a walk in a park. More than 100 free, ranger-led walks are
offered during National Park Week. Hike to a cloud forest, take a
sunset stroll, wander through John F. Kennedy's neighborhood, and
more.
Go wild for Earth Day. Tour John Muir's house in California and take
part in a combined John Muir Birthday/Earth Day Celebration with
music, food, and family-friendly events.
Go wild for Hawaiian culture. Experience first-hand the traditions of
Hawaiian sailing and Hawaiian crafts! Join a sailing expert guide for
a ride on a double-hulled canoe and learn interesting tidbits about
Hawaiian sailing techniques, history, and culture. Immerse yourself in
Hawaiian crafts such as lauhala weaving, coconut leaf weaving, and lei
making.
Go wild for Patriot's Day. Commemorate the opening battle of the
American Revolutionary War with parades, reenactments, and special
ceremonies in Massachusetts.
Go wild for waterfalls. Take the Whiskeytown Waterfall Challenge at
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area in beautiful northern California
and hike to Brandy Creek, Boulder Creek, Crystal Creek and Whiskeytown
Falls!
Go wild for national park road trips. Enjoy a self-guided tour to
historic places, most of which are listed in the National Register of
Historic Places. Each trip takes you to a variety of places
significant in American history, architecture, archeology,
engineering, and culture.
Go wild for wildflowers. Spring has sprung and it is the perfect time
to see nature in all of its colorful glory in parks across the
country. Parks including the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee and
Cumberland Gap and Mammoth Cave in Kentucky will have wildflower walks
and talks.
Using the resources on the National Park Week website, visitors can
plan adventures, share national park photos, videos, and tips, and
learn about all the ways to help support national parks.
National Park Week also offers many opportunities for the public to
explore local parks, trails, and architectural gems sustained by
National Park Service programs such as the Rivers, Trails, and
Conservation Assistance program and the National Register of Historic
Places.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE More than 20,000 National Park Service
employees care for America's 401 national parks and work with
communities across the nation to help preserve local history and
create close-to-home recreational opportunities.
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.
MEDIA CONTACTS: National Park Service Kathy Kupper 202-208-6843
Kathy_Kupper@nps.gov
National Park Foundation Alanna Sobel 202-354-6486
asobel@nationalparks.org
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140324/DC89075LOGO
SOURCE National Park Foundation
-0- 04/15/2014
/Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140324/DC89075LOGO
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
/Web Site: http://www.nationalparks.org
CO: National Park Foundation
ST: District of Columbia
IN: ATL TRA
SU: POL
PRN
-- DC05574 --
0000 04/15/2014 13:49:00 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
