Partnerships

The National Park Service (NPS) has long relied on partnerships with outside organizations to enhance resource protection and the visitor experience. The influence of the national parks is felt well beyond its borders; we are part of a larger community of local, regional, and state interests. Our dedication to resource protection and providing quality visitor experiences affects a broad array of citizens, government agencies, and interest groups. Partnerships allow us to tap the skills and resources of the larger community, and enable NPS to extend its mission outside park boundaries.

Who Are Our Partners?
Chapter 3 of "The National Park Service Transportation Planning Guidebook" outlines steps in identifying potential partners; tools and approaches that can be used to successfully organize and formalize the role of partners; and how to build a "win win" partnership. Partner groups will vary according to the park and the issues, but there are partner groups at the state and federal level that should always be contacted when seeking project approval and funding assistance.

You should always contact your Federal Lands Highway Division office for assistance with partnering with the State Departments of Transportation and for guidance with Federal-aid discretionary programs.

Contact the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) concerning transit issues and questions about FTA grant programs.

Partnering for Success: Techniques for Working with Partners to Plan for Alternative Transportation (May 9, 2003)

Partnering for Success summarizes the techniques of and lessons learned by some of the National Parks that have been particularly successful in forming partnerships to support planning and implementation of ATS.

Partnering for Transportation Success at Acadia National Park (May 22, 2003)

This partnership report presents a case study of the partnerships that supported the implementation of the Island Explorer shuttle system on Mt Desert Island, serving Acadia NP and the surrounding communities.

Planning Through Partnerships: Alt. Transportation at Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area

This partnership case study tells the story of a successful and collaborative transportation planning process using an innovative approach to planning to secure political and financial support for its transportation needs.