 |
| NPS photo by Gail Sears |
| Families enjoy the many activities offered at "Meet Me in the Park" event. |
 |
Date: September 24, 2009
Contact: Mardi Arce, 501-623-2824
On Saturday, September 19, approximately 4,000 visitors participated in a day at the park co-sponsored by Hot Springs National Park and the Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN) to highlight the new Ken Burns’ documentary entitled The National Parks: America’s Best Idea.
At Arlington Lawn, visitors got a “hands on” look at several National Park Service occupations, including wildland fire fighting, law enforcement, emergency medical services, interpretation, and maintenance. Park-related family fun activities included a climbing wall where participants challenged themselves to “reach the top”; large pieces of construction equipment the kids were able to explore; and Smokey Bear, Clifford the Big Red Dog, and Bobber the Water Safety Dog.
Junior Ranger programs were conducted each hour to highlight the park’s cultural and natural resources, as well as continuous old time games of croquet and badminton. Additionally, History Helpers, a professional living history group, provided park visitors with a look back at the Dunbar-Hunter Expedition in 1803-4.
Visitors were able to visit the AETN booths for face painting, snacks, and information on the Ken Burns program. The PBS affiliate also showed a 40-minute teaser of the 12 ½ hour documentary in the Superior Bathhouse.
