From trail repairs to new wayside interpretive panels, road and bridge repairs and restoring the most photographed barn in America, the National Park Service this week announced $26 million for more than 100 initiatives that will help parks prepare for centennial visitors.
The National Park Service received a $10 million Congressional appropriate that was matched with $15.9 million from more than 90 partner organizations. The 106 projects, located at more than 100 parks in 31 states and the District of Columbia, are designed to improve visitor services, support outreach to new audiences, and leverage partnerships to reinvigorate national parks while forging connections with communities.
“As the National Park Service approaches its Centennial in 2016, the National Park Foundation and local park friends groups have pledged to raise private funds to improve the facilities, accessibility, and programs of our national parks, matching the federal appropriation and resulting in a $26 million investment in the parks,” said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis.
Among the projects funded with these grants, Yellowstone National Park and the Yellowstone Park Foundation will improve the connection from Gardiner, Montana, with the park’s iconic Roosevelt Arch entry. The $2 million project with $1.5 million from the Yellowstone Park Foundation and $500,000 of federal funds, will improve the road, parking, walks, signage and pedestrian areas to meet modern road and accessibility standards.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park, with $183,403 of federal funds and $198,687 from the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park, will build the park’s first off-road single-track bicycle and hike trail. The East Rim Trail, a 21st century recreation opportunity, will become part of a network of major regional long distance bicycle and hiking trails including Summit Metro Park’s Bike & Hike Trail, the Towpath Trail, the Buckeye Trail, and the Cleveland Metropark’s Emerald Necklace Trail.
The Grand Teton National Park Foundation will provide a $23,000 match with $23,000 of centennial challenge funds to address deferred maintenance on the T.A. Moulton Barn and the Reed Moulton Barn, two iconic barns in the Mormon Row Historic District in Grand Teton National Park.
For a complete list of centennial challenge projects and partners please visit http://www.nps.gov/subjects/
