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Western PA National Parks Invite Everyone to #FindYourPark during the Centennial Birthday Weekend

Release Date: For Immediate Release

 

Contact: MaryEllen Snyder, maryellen_snyder@nps.gov , 724-329-8131

 

*Western PA National Parks Invite Everyone to #FindYourPark during **the*

 

* Centennial Birthday Weekend*

 

Farmington, PA – The National Park Service invites visitors of all ages to

join in the celebration of its 100th birthday this weekend. With special

events across the country, and free admission to all 412 national parks

from August 25 through August 28, the NPS is encouraging everyone to

#FindYourPark / #EncuentraTuParque

for the centennial. On August 25, 1916,

President Woodrow Wilson signed the act that created the National Park

Service “to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and

the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such

manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of

future generations.”

 

To make it easier for visitors to #FindYourPark entrance fees will be

waived nationwide including at the three Western PA National Park Sites

that charge an entrance fee; this includes Fort Necessity National

Battlefield, Johnstown Flood National Memorial and Allegheny Portage

Railroad National Historic Site. Flight 93 National Memorial and Friendship

Hill NHS are fee-free year round. All entrance fees are waived from August

25 through August 28 to encourage everyone to visit a nearby Park and

celebrate the NPS 100th birthday.

 

August 25 through August 28 – our birthday weekend – will be a nationwide

celebration of national parks, and we’re inviting everyone to the party,” said

National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. “We like to think that

we look pretty good for 100, and with so many events and activities to

commemorate this milestone, we hope all Americans will join us to celebrate

the breathtaking landscapes and inspiring history in our nation’s parks and

public lands. Whether it is in a distant state or in your own community,

there are hundreds of ways and places to find your park!”

 

On Thursday August 25, to celebrate the NPS Birthday with a bang, Fort

Necessity NB Rangers and volunteers will fire reproduction artillery pieces to

commemorate the 100th Birthday of the National Park Service. These

historic weapons demonstrations will take place at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m.

and 3:00 p.m. Friendship Hill NHS Rangers and volunteers will celebrate the

creation of the National Park Service by offering special NPS Centennial

themed guided tours of the Gallatin House throughout the day.

 

Flight 93 National Memorial Park Rangers will present the “Discovery Table”

and other special NPS Centennial programs from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on

Thursday, Saturday and Sunday in the Learning Center. The Children’s

Discovery Table helps younger visitors understand the story of Flight 93

and the Memorial that honors the passengers and crew through tangible

objects. At all five Western PA National Park Service sites children are

invited to celebrate the National Park Services 100th birthday during the

upcoming weekend by participating in free special Centennial Junior Ranger

programs at each Park. Any Junior Ranger who completes all five of the

National Parks of Western Pennsylvania Junior Ranger Programs will earn a

special 2016 patch. To learn more check out Centennial Junior Ranger

Program.

 

 

On Saturday, August 27, at Johnstown Flood National Memorial there will be

a free, special program, presented at 7:00 pm in the Visitor Center

Auditorium entitled “Evening on the Lake: Judge John W. Kephart’s

Connection to the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club.” Susie Huber, of the

Cambria County Historical Society, will discuss the papers of PA Supreme

Court Justice John W. Kephart. Approximately 12 years after the Johnstown

Flood of 1889, Kephart, a young lawyer was assigned to “wrap up” business

at the site of the Clubhouse and grounds of the South Fork Fishing &

Hunting Club. This presentation will include the opportunity for visitors

to view never before displayed original Club records and new evidence as to

the ownership of the cottages on grounds.

 

To continue the national park adventure beyond these entrance fee free

days, the $80 America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreation

Lands Pass allows unlimited

entrance to more than 2,000 sites, including all national parks, throughout

the year. There are also a variety of free or discounted passes

available for senior

citizens, current military members, fourth grade students, and disabled

citizens.

 

About the Western PA National Parks: Visit the parks website Western PA

National Parks ,

Facebook pages, email WEPAinformation@NPS.gov or call MaryEllen Snyder at

724-329-8131 for more information on the events planned in the five

National Parks in Western PA.

 

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service

employees care for America's 412 national parks and work with communities

across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home

recreational opportunities. Visit us at www.nps.gov, on Facebook at

www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice, Twitter at

www.twitter.com/natlparkservice, and YouTube at

www.youtube.com/nationalparkservice.

 

www.nps.gov

MaryEllen Snyder, Management Assistant

National Park Service/Western Pennsylvania Parks

Fort Necessity National Battlefield

One Washington Parkway

Farmington, PA 15437

724-329-8131 - office

724-812-7814 - cell

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Uploaded on August 24, 2016
Taken on July 14, 2016