Park Plans for Next Century

Date: February 26, 2015
Contact: Kathleen Sandt, Public Affairs Specialist, [phone]

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is celebrating its 50thanniversary this year and the National Park Service (NPS) will commemorate its 100thanniversary in 2016. "We're very excited to be commemorating these big events over the next two years," said Superintendent John J. Donahue. "These anniversaries will provide occasions to celebrate all that our national parks have to offer and an opportunity to plan strategically for the next century." Special events and programs are being planned to celebrate the anniversaries and will be announced soon on our website at  www.nps.gov/dewa/planyourvisit/events.htm. Information about NPS Centennial events can be found at  www.nps.gov/subjects/centennial/index.htm.

Because many of Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area's planning documents were dated,the park recently prepared a Foundation Document. This document is the first step for considering the park's history, future planning, and study needs. "It has been 50 years, and the time is right to take a comprehensive look at where we are today and where we're going in the future," said Donahue. "Effectively managing a national park unit and planning for its future requires a basic understanding of a park's resources, values, and history to provide a foundation for planning and management."

Foundation Documents describe the core mission of park units by identifying the purpose; significance; fundamental, important, and related resources and values; interpretive themes; planning and data needs; special mandates and administrative commitments. They provide the "foundation" upon which other plans and management decisions can be based. The NPS is working to complete Foundation Documents in all 405 park units by 2016. 

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area completed its Foundation Document in December of 2014; the final document is available on the park's website at https://www.nps.gov/dewa/getinvolved/planning.htm.

The park will also be undertaking two planning projects this year. "We are in the initial stages of preparing a Visitor Use Management Plan (VUMP) and a Historic Properties Management Plan (HPMP)," explained Superintendent Donahue. "Both processes will offer the public opportunities to provide input and to influence the future of the park." Public workshops will be scheduled this spring and fall.

Questions or comments can be submitted in writing to Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, 1978 River Road, Bushkill, PA, or by phone by calling [phone], Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 am and 4:30 pm. You can also contact the park via the park's website, www.nps.gov/dewa, or on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/DelWaterGapNPS.