NEWS RELEASE

September 28, 2004
Maureen Oltrogge (928) 638-7779
Fran Joseph, GCNPF (928) 774-1760

Ceremony at North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park To Highlight Planned Development of Trail

Grand Canyon, AZ - As part of a continuing effort to improve visitor experience at Grand Canyon National Park, Superintendent Joe Alston will participate in an October 4th ceremony on the Park's North Rim to launch a process for the development of a $4.6 million six-mile (multi-use) rim trail proposed in the Park's 1995 General Management Plan. Superintendent Alston will be joined by Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish Wildlife and Parks Paul Hoffman, First District Congressman Rick Renzi, Grand Canyon National Park Foundation Board Chair Allen Naille and President Deborah Tuck, and Arizona Department of Transportation Director Victor Mendez at the 11:30 am ceremony near the North Rim Visitor Center and the historic Grand Canyon Lodge.

Grand Canyon National Park is the second-most-visited national park in the United States, receiving approximately 4.5 million visitors each year - yet only about 10% of those visit the more remote North Rim area of the Park. "Development of this trail would provide convenient linkages to most guest facilities on the Bright Angel Peninsula, and offer a great opportunity for visitors of all physical abilities to explore the unique and beautiful landscapes of the North Rim of the Canyon," noted Superintendent Alston.

The North Rim trail segment - designed to be accessible for persons with disabilities - would be part of the Park's "Grand Canyon Greenway" (Greenway) network of multi-use trails. The Greenway project is funded through the Grand Canyon National Park Foundation (GCNPF), and includes segments (already completed) at the South Rim connecting Grand Canyon Village, Canyon View Information Plaza, Yavapai Observation Station, Mather Point and the east rim at Pipe Creek Vista. Financial support for the Grand Canyon Greenway has been received from the federal government, the Arizona Department of Transportation and a variety of private donors. Funding for this section of trail on the North Rim is made possible in part by a $1 million gift from the Arizona-based Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation, and $250,000 from the Federal Lands Highway Administration with the support of the Arizona Department of Transportation and Congressman Rick Renzi.

The North Rim trail, as proposed, would improve the "Bridle Trail", and connect Grand Canyon Lodge to the North Kaibab Trailhead. When completed, the trail would functionally serve the estimated 300 employees who work and live on the North Rim each season (roughly mid-May to mid-October), as well as the 45,000 people who visit the North Rim each year - providing convenient access to employee housing, campground, the general store, guest lodging and parking. Project planning and design is nearing completion; construction would begin only once all provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act have been completed. As with completed South Rim Greenway segments, the North Rim segment would be designed to maintain existing landscape characteristics and provide the least amount of environmental disturbance.

The Grand Canyon Greenway trail system has won several design and accessibility awards, including the 2002 National Accessibility Leadership Award from the National Park Service, and has been cited as a model public/private partnership project in support of the national park system.

The Grand Canyon National Park Foundation is a private not-for-profit 501 (c)3 organization, and is the only authorized fundraising partner for the National Park Service at the Grand Canyon.

Other invited guests to the October 4th ceremony include United States Senator John McCain and a variety of local officials. The Presentation of Colors will be provided by Kanab Boy Scout Troop #748 (Paria River District, Utah National Parks Council).