Concessionaire News
After 80 years, Carlsbad Caverns National Park has replaced the Cavern Supply Company. And, at Write Brothers National Memorial, air tours departing from a nearby airstrip have been canceled indefinitely.
Why Is The Park Service Bending Over Backwards For Developer?
National Park Service Director Mary Bomar months ago promised that the agency would improve its business savvy. And yet, her agency seems to be ignoring sound business judgment in its blind desire to see a developer who lacks deep pockets turn a portion of Gateway National Recreation Area into a commercial district.
- By Kurt Repanshek - June 30th, 2007 8:13am
Who is Gen-Y and Should the Park Service Care?
Computer animations can bring 18th-century cannon fire to life, but can they bring Gen-Yers to the national parks? Can an audiocast leading teens across a battlefield entice them enough to set foot in Saratoga National Historical Park? Can tracing a hike in Glacier National Park from the comforts of their homes convince this generation to beg their parents to visit Glacier on their next vacation? Those are questions that have more and more park managers searching for answers.
Gen_Y_conference_summary_v2.pdf
- By Kurt Repanshek - June 29th, 2007 6:35pm
Teddy Bear Leads Kids to the National Parks
No electronics, just an old-fashioned book that sparks youngsters' imaginations, is the driving force behind Tedrick de Bear's travels across the national park system. Teddy's Travels, America's National Parks, is an award-winning book by Trefoni Michael Rizzi that teaches kids a little something about the parks while they're enjoying them.
- By Kurt Repanshek - June 29th, 2007 3:56pm
Alcatraz Event on YouTube
YouTube coverage of the ExpreScion event held on Alcatraz Island recently. I am struck by the comments of one participant who is troubled that a party is happening on a site protected for its past agony.
Congress Takes a Step Toward Restoring the Great Lakes
President Bush isn't going to like this. The House of Representatives has adopted an Interior Appropriations Bill that contains more money than he proposed for the agency. But would the president veto funding that would help clean up sewage in the Great Lakes and work to stop the spread of invasive, non-native species in the lakes?
- By Kurt Repanshek - June 28th, 2007 4:47pm
Cast Your Vote for the Future of Gateway National Recreation Area
Should a unit of the national park system, once created, be redesigned? When the unit in question is Gateway National Recreation Area, the folks at the National Park Conservation Association think so. And they're asking for your input on how that makeover should be handled.
- By Kurt Repanshek - June 28th, 2007 11:04am
Great Smoky Trails Reopened
It took nearly a month, but all the trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park that were closed by the Buck Shank fire have been reopened.
- By Kurt Repanshek - June 28th, 2007 10:30am
Selling Scions by the Seashore
Alcatraz Island was used for a special private party on Saturday with the purpose of marketing the Toyota Scion to a youthful audience. Since when did the Park Service decide that 'car lot' was an appropriate use for our public lands?
Glacier's Sun Road Could Be Open End-to-End on July 1
It's been a long time coming, but Glacier National Park officials are cautiously optimistic that they'll be able to open the Going-to-the-Sun Road from end to end this coming Sunday. That, of course, is barring any unexpected torrential downpours or snowstorms.
- By Kurt Repanshek - June 27th, 2007 5:41pm
