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Contact: Curt Frain, 507-825-5464 ext. 214
Did You Know…National Park Week is April 20 –28 Free Admission and Events Nationwide Pipestone, MN: The National Park Serviceand the National Park Foundationinvite everyone to get to know their national parks during National Park Week. This year's dates are April 20 –28, with free admission to all national parks April 22 –26. "This year's theme, 'Did you know…' provides a fun way to discover the wonders of America's national parks," said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. "For example, did you know that there are national parks in 49 of 50 states? Did you know that national parks include seashores, battlefields, and historic homes? Did you know that the country's highest peak, lowest point, tallest tree, deepest lake and longest cave are in national parks? Did you know that you probably live within an hour or two of a national park? National Park Week is a great time for all Americans to visit a nearby national park to camp, hike, watch wildlife, stroll a Civil War battlefield, and connect with our heritage and each other." National Park Week is also a good time to explore local parks, trails, and architectural gems sustained through National Park Service programs such as the Rivers Trails Conservation Assistance program and the National Register of Historic Places. The annual celebration includes special events such as Junior Ranger Day on April 20 and Earth Day on April 22. Find a list of ranger-led programs and plan your adventures at www.nationalparkweek.org. You can also use the website to share your park experiences and photos and help support parks. Pipestone National Monument offers a ¾ mile walking path, orientation film, museum, picnic area and a gift shop. As a visitor you will be able to explore American Indian culture and the natural resources of the tallgrass prairie. Established by Congress in 1937 to protect the historic pipestone quarries, the site is considered sacred by many American Indians. Spanning centuries of use, American Indians continue to quarry pipestone at the Monument. To learn more about visiting the Pipestone National Monument and the NPS passes, visit the park's web site at www.nps.gov/pipe. About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 395 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov |
Last updated: April 10, 2015