The Department of Interior will hold listening sessions around the country seeking citizen input on President Bush’s National Park Centennial Initiative. Specifically, the Park Service will be asking citizens what they want their parks to look like in 10 years. Citizens can provide input on what services should be offered and what special projects should be funded in celebration of the park service’s 100th birthday in 2016.

“We will travel the country listening to our fellow citizens who care deeply about our national parks,” Secretary Kempthorne said. “This is a time for a thoughtful review of what needs to be done over the next decade — a great opportunity to think big and act boldly to develop a plan to prepare national parks for the future.”

Participants are being asked to focus their comments on three questions:

Think of your children and grandchildren enjoying national parks in 2016 and beyond. How do you imagine their visit? What are your hopes and expectations?

What role do you think national parks should play in the lives of Americans and visitors from around the world?

What are the signature projects and programs that you think should be highlighted for completion over the next 10 years?

The listening sessions will help the Park Service identify projects that may be funded under President Bush’s proposal to provide up to $3 billion of new public and private investment to the parks over the next 10 years. Congress is presently considering the president’s proposal.
Listening sessions will be held in the following locations:

  • Denali National Park (March 19)
  • Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, San Antonio, TX, New York
  • City, Fairbanks, AK (March 20)
  • Durango, CO, Denver, CO and San Juan, Puerto Rico (March 21)
  • San Francisco, CA. and Miami, Fl (March 22)
  • Cody, WY (March 26)
  • Albuquerque, N.M (March 27)
  • Tucson, AZ, (March 28)
  • Philadelphia, PA (March 29).

Additional locations may be added.