Find Your Park on Long Island and Celebrate the 99th Birthday of the National Park Service

NPS

News Release Date: August 20, 2015

Contact: Josk Reyes, 516-802-7543

Long Island, NY - The National Park Service is turning 99 years old on August 25 and Fire Island National Seashore, Sagamore Hill National Historic Site, and Gateway National Recreation Area want you to join the party! Visit Long Island's national parks and enjoy the rich historic and natural features in your backyard.

On Tuesday August 25, Fire Island National Seashore will offer reduced ferry fare to its Watch Hill and Sailors Haven sites, discounted Fire Island Lighthouse Tower Tour fees, and special ranger-guided surf- and net-fishing programs.

On Sunday, August 23 at 1:00 PM, Sagamore Hill National Historic Site in Oyster Bay will host a talk on Theodore Roosevelt's conservation efforts and, on Tuesday, August 25 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, free admission to the first floor of the newly renovated Theodore Roosevelt House will be offered. Regularly scheduled tours of the entire home will resume August 26 and may be reserved online at www.recreation.gov.

On Sunday, August 23 at Riis Beach from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, the Jamaica Bay Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area, located in Brooklyn and Queens, will host a Founders Day celebration.

In preparation for next year's big centennial celebration, the National Park Service is inviting everyone to Find Your Park. To encourage people to discover everything a park experience can be, there is a fun list of 99 ways to Find Your Park. Long Island national park sites are a great place to #14 - Earn a Junior Ranger badge, #80 - Make a Splash, or #98 - Take a Sunrise Selfie. Visitors can share their park experiences with others by posting on social media with the hashtag #FindYourPark.

On August 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed legislation to create the National Park Service. Today, there are 408 national parks throughout the country and each one tells an important part of the American story. Some commemorate notable people and achievements, others conserve magnificent landscapes and natural wonders, and all provide a place to have fun and learn. And, on August 25, all national parks will offer free entrance for everyone.

The mission of the National Park Service also extends beyond park boundaries. Community partnerships help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. To see what is happening in New York, go to www.nps.gov/NY.