National Parks Awarded $48 Million for Centennial Projects

In August 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed an act to create a system of huge land preserves for the public's use -- thus creating the National Park Service (NPS). This was a big action, considering the nation was only two years out from the chaos and lung-poisoning of the first World War at the time. Some parks already existed, such as Yellowstone, Sequoia and Yosemite, but Wilson's signature created the network.

Perhaps the nation wanted to breathe freely, and Wilson had that in mind. In any case, the NPS turns 100 years old this summer, and the NPS has announced Centennial Challenge projects in honor of that century-long existence. The aim is to improve visitor services and outreach, thereby boosting tourism to parks nationwide. The NPS has received a total of $48 million for those projects, $15 million of which is from the U.S. government. The rest of the funds have been appropriated by more than 90 cost-sharing park partners.

"As the National Park Service enters its centennial year in 2016, Congress and generous partners across the country are making exceptional investments to improve park facilities, enhance their accessibility, and help more visitors - especially young people -- discover our nation's inspiring places and stories," National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis said in an official statement.

Projects will take place in 38 states, and in the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands, in 63 parks total. Much of this is work will address a backlog of maintenance that has awaited financing. A star project will rehabilitate the Conococheague Aqueduct on the historic Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Canal, which was started in 1833 and damaged during the Civil War. The canal itself was a central way that coal, agricultural products and lumber reached markets near the Potomac River for nearly 100 years. The project at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in California will resurface the Crissy Field Promenade and establish new signage. It is an area that receives nearly 1.2 million visitors per year.

In addition to finally getting deferred maintenance projects off the ground, the Centennial projects are also working to make the parks more user-friendly for visitors. For instance, new visitor center exhibits will be constructed at the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area in Minnesota.

Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming will also see the area at Jenny Lake become more accessible by improving the region's trails and bridges. Trails will be renovated at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park in California and Glacier National Park in Montana, too.

Restoring habitat and wildlife conservation projects will be on the roster too, including rehabilitating and restoring the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias in Yosemite National Park in California, protecting wolf packs in Denali National Park in Alaska, and removing debris from the marine wilderness of Drakes Estero at Pointe Reyes National Seashore in Florida.

There are also country-wide programs that are being initiated such as the "Every Kid in a Park" program which will transport an estimated 250,000 fourth-grade children to national parks and conduct a wilderness explorers program for urban youth. The NPS is focusing on educating young people about the importance of preserving, protecting, and appreciating the United States' national parks.

For a full list of all of the NPS Centennial Challenge projects, click here.