“This Land is Your Land, This Land Is My Land…”
National Parks in America are revered by all, but sadly, they may be a luxury which many underserved populations cannot enjoy. One problem is that many national parks have reservation systems. At a select few parks, acquiring a reservation seems as analogous as trying to get Taylor Swift tickets from Ticketmaster. Some campgrounds can have over 19,000 individuals applying for only 57 sites. Only 0.3 percent of those jumping on the computer minutes after reservations open will actually get a campsite.
Recognizing these problems, federal, state, county and municipal organizations are working on solutions to provide access to parks and green spaces for all populations. The progress is slow but steady.
In July 2022, the Department of the Interior set aside $192 million for urban communities to work toward providing green spaces for every American. These funds are now allocated to local communities and include projects of rehabilitating run down parks and creating new outdoor recreation areas.
Many parks have instituted a lottery system. While it does not address crowding, it at least broadens the base of those able to visit. For example, Zion has begun an online lottery for coveted permits to hike Angels Landing; Yellowstone created an early-access lottery for reserving backcountry campsites; and Yosemite set up a pilot lottery program that awards camping permits for sought-after sites at its North Pines Campground.
In 2018, Muir Woods National Monument in California became one of the first park service sites to institute parking and shuttle reservations, a year-round system designed to reduce traffic and noise in its iconic old-growth redwood grove.
Utah, at the cost of $ 34 million, is creating an eastern gateway to Zion which will include 30 miles of mountain bike paths and 40 miles of hiking trails that will link to current trails. This new gateway will funnel up to 1.5 million visitors, unclogging access from other entry points.
In Georgia, the Trust for Public Land is working to connect metro Atlanta to the Chattahoochee River. It will involve a 100-mile network of parks and trails running between Buford Dam and the Chattahoochee Bend State Park. To date, 80 miles of river and 18,000 acres of land have been protected.
Both the private and public sectors are working to encourage tourists to move beyond the most common destinations that offer instagrammable photos. They seek to get tourists to visit lessor known parks and public lands, as well as consider off season visits. Furthermore, they hope to have visitors understand that they can help distribute your tourist dollars more evenly throughout regions. Just as buying local makes a difference in an economy, thinking local tourism allows for a stronger and more equitable base.
For many of us, outdoor recreation starts at the back door. We can walk Rainbow Lake, or look out from Sunset Rock most any day. Some of us can afford mountain bikes and can ride Stringers Ridge or the Bay Loop Trail at Harrison Bay State Park. Furthermore, we have fast speed internet. If we want to book a campsite, our likelihood of success is better than that of others.
Repeatedly, we are told that outdoor recreation strengthens families and builds communities. We know it strengthens us both physically and mentally and fosters environmental awareness and spiritual fulfillment. Now, thankfully, throughout the nation, people are working to ensure that these essential elements of health are accessible to all. A movement has gained momentum. May it continue to progress with strength and rapidity!
by Robin Howe
National Parks in America are revered by all, but sadly, they may be a luxury which many underserved populations cannot enjoy. One problem is that many national parks have reservation systems. At a select few parks, acquiring a reservation seems as analogous as trying to get Taylor Swift tickets from Ticketmaster. Some campgrounds can have over 19,000 individuals applying for only 57 sites. Only 0.3 percent of those jumping on the computer minutes after reservations open will actually get a campsite.
Recognizing these problems, federal, state, county and municipal organizations are working on solutions to provide access to parks and green spaces for all populations. The progress is slow but steady.
In July 2022, the Department of the Interior set aside $192 million for urban communities to work toward providing green spaces for every American. These funds are now allocated to local communities and include projects of rehabilitating run down parks and creating new outdoor recreation areas.
Many parks have instituted a lottery system. While it does not address crowding, it at least broadens the base of those able to visit. For example, Zion has begun an online lottery for coveted permits to hike Angels Landing; Yellowstone created an early-access lottery for reserving backcountry campsites; and Yosemite set up a pilot lottery program that awards camping permits for sought-after sites at its North Pines Campground.
In 2018, Muir Woods National Monument in California became one of the first park service sites to institute parking and shuttle reservations, a year-round system designed to reduce traffic and noise in its iconic old-growth redwood grove.
Utah, at the cost of $ 34 million, is creating an eastern gateway to Zion which will include 30 miles of mountain bike paths and 40 miles of hiking trails that will link to current trails. This new gateway will funnel up to 1.5 million visitors, unclogging access from other entry points.
In Georgia, the Trust for Public Land is working to connect metro Atlanta to the Chattahoochee River. It will involve a 100-mile network of parks and trails running between Buford Dam and the Chattahoochee Bend State Park. To date, 80 miles of river and 18,000 acres of land have been protected.
Both the private and public sectors are working to encourage tourists to move beyond the most common destinations that offer instagrammable photos. They seek to get tourists to visit lessor known parks and public lands, as well as consider off season visits. Furthermore, they hope to have visitors understand that they can help distribute your tourist dollars more evenly throughout regions. Just as buying local makes a difference in an economy, thinking local tourism allows for a stronger and more equitable base.
For many of us, outdoor recreation starts at the back door. We can walk Rainbow Lake, or look out from Sunset Rock most any day. Some of us can afford mountain bikes and can ride Stringers Ridge or the Bay Loop Trail at Harrison Bay State Park. Furthermore, we have fast speed internet. If we want to book a campsite, our likelihood of success is better than that of others.
Repeatedly, we are told that outdoor recreation strengthens families and builds communities. We know it strengthens us both physically and mentally and fosters environmental awareness and spiritual fulfillment. Now, thankfully, throughout the nation, people are working to ensure that these essential elements of health are accessible to all. A movement has gained momentum. May it continue to progress with strength and rapidity!
by Robin Howe
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