Early Spring Weather Benefits Lassen Volcanic National Park and Visitors

Date: April 18, 2007
Contact: Mary G. Martin, 530-595-4444 ext. 5101

Early Spring Weather Benefits Lassen Volcanic National Park and Visitors

 Superintendent Mary G. Martin is pleased to announce that construction of Lassen Volcanic National Park’s new visitor center began this week and that the park road crew will open the road to Sulphur Works today. “As visitors have the opportunity to explore the south side of the park, on their way to Sulphur Works they will see the beginning site work that will be the foundation of the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center,” said Superintendent Martin. The warmer, drier weather this early spring has helped the park take advantage of an ideal start date for construction. The park’s road crew has also taken advantage of the warm weather and the decreased snow levels as they began road opening operations on March 12 and have made excellent progress. “On these sunny spring days many visitors find a walk along the park road before it’s open for traffic to be very pleasant,” she stated.

Lassen Volcanic National Park was established in 1916 and will now have its first year-round visitor center. The new facility has been designed for sustainability and will be certified by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program as “Gold” for its operational efficiency and construction that is responsive to green and sustainable practices. The center will be a primary stop for visitors that would like to learn more about the park, purchase books/gifts, or stop for a meal in the dining area. The 8,000+ square foot building will feature an auditorium for a new film, exhibits, information desk, Lassen Association book sales, first aid services, 24-hour vestibule for information and access to restrooms, and concession-run gifts and food services. A new amphitheater and interpretive exhibits will also be featured in the landscape of native plants outside the visitor center.

There will be an opportunity for members of the media and community leadership to schedule an on site visit with the Superintendent and park representatives on Tuesday, May 8 and Thursday, May 10. Please call 530-595-4444, ext. 5101 to schedule.

This year promises to be one of progress for Lassen Volcanic National Park. In addition to the construction of the visitor center, the park will also begin the construction of a new Southwest Entrance Station and a Federal Highways project to repair and overlay approximately 12 miles of the park road and associated pull-outs and parking areas. These projects will be done primarily during the weekdays to minimize delays for visitors on the busier weekends.

Visitors need to use caution when visiting areas of the park that are nearby construction and / or snow removal operations. The large equipment associated with these activities make visibility for their operators very limited and can be very hazardous. Please visit the park website for updates on road opening and visitor center construction projects.

For more information, please contact the park at [phone], Monday through Friday, except holidays, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or visit the park website at www.nps.gov/lavo.

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