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NPS
National Park Service Announces FY12 Investments in Education, Youth Programs, and Outdoor Recreation in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Annapolis, MD -- The National Park Service (NPS) Chesapeake Bay Office announced today that the NPS is providing financial assistance to 21 partners and 24 projects with a combined financial commitment of $1,363,039. These projects with 21 partners in fiscal year 2012 address education, youth employment and stewardship programs, and public access and trail development in the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network and along the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail and the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. Each project is leveraged through additional means such as matching funds, in-kind services, and volunteer hours. In collaboration with many partners, the National Park Service works to expand public access to the Chesapeake Bay and tributary rivers, build visitor experiences along two national historic trails, develop teacher resources in line with state standards, and expand service and employment opportunities for youth. "Through partner engagement and participation, each of these projects has a positive impact in local communities," said NPS Superintendent John Maounis. "Whether teaching the history of these places, introducing young people to possible career paths, or providing a new place to get to the water, these are investments in quality of life." The Chesapeake Bay Office of the National Park Service administers the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network of partner sites, and also manages two of the nation's nineteen national historic trails. Both trails are comprised of land and water routes accessible through partner sites, are in active stages of development, and offer opportunities for educators and students that are both virtual and place-based.Educational programming, training in stewardship and outdoor recreation skills, and youth employment opportunities all contribute to trail development. Trail development and youth engagement projects also advance public access goals set through the Strategy for Protecting and Restoring the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, the federal response to President Obama's Executive Order 13508. The strategy and subsequent draft public access plan call for the addition of 300 new sites where citizens can have a waterside experience, whether hiking, paddling, enjoying a picnic, or fishing. Below is a list of 21 partners and 24 projects supported by the National Park Service. Education Projects Star-Spangled Banner Teacher Symposium Partner:Center for the Constitution at James Madison's Montpelier - Orange, VA Amount: $36,006 With this financial assistance, thirty teachers from Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia spent five days learning about the War of 1812 in the Chesapeake and the educational resources now available for curricula in the classroom. This Residential Teacher Seminar was conducted in partnership with the Center for the Constitution and included lectures by subject matter experts, historians, book authors, and guided tours of relevant sites. War of 1812 in Southern Maryland: Traveling Exhibit and Traveling Trunks Partners:Southern Maryland Heritage Area, Calvert Marine Museum, and Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum - Charles County, St. Mary's County, and Calvert County, MD Amount: $36,000 This project will provide a traveling exhibit and two traveling trunks focusing on events of the War of 1812 in Southern Maryland. The traveling exhibit will interpret the impacts of the War of 1812 in Southern Maryland, and travel to museums, libraries, community centers, schools, and other public institutions. The 1812 Traveling Trunks can travel with the exhibit or be available to any Maryland educator, and will contain a series of lesson plans and accompanying objects that allow instruction on the War of 1812 to accommodate a range of learning styles and engage all of the senses. Youth Engagement Projects Maryland Conservation Job Corps on the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail Partner:Maryland Department of Natural Resources - Prince George's County, MD Amount:$40,000 Maryland Department of Natural Resources employed and trained youth in projects on the Patuxent River along the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail.These Maryland Conservation Job Corps participants learned and applied technical skills, environmental principles, and outdoor recreation skills at Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary, Patuxent River Park, Cedarville State Forest, Jug Bay Natural Area, Douglas Point, and Point Lookout State Park. Youth Intern, Chesapeake Youth Corps Network Partner:Maryland Department of Natural Resources - Annapolis, MD Amount:$25,000 These funds support one youth intern to provide service-learning opportunities in support of Maryland Conservation Job Corps, a key partner in Chesapeake Youth Corps workforces. Youth programs teach environmental stewardship, employ youth in development of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake and Star-Spangled Banner national historic trails, connect diverse participants with the outdoors and cultural heritage, and offer opportunities for career development. Youth Workforce Training on the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail Partner:Parks & People Foundation - Baltimore, MD Amount: $60,000 The Parks & People Foundation is employing and training youth on the Patapsco River in Baltimore, MD, along the Star-Spangled Banner Trail. The Foundation's program for high-school age youth is called BRANCHES - Building Resources and Nurturing Community Health and Environmental Stewardship.Participants learned and applied technical skills, environmental principles, and outdoor recreation skills at sixteen locations including Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, the Fell's Point Visitor Center, and the Flag House and Star-Spangled Banner Museum. Youth Intern, Chesapeake Youth Corps Network Partner:Parks & People Foundation - Baltimore, MD Amount:$25,000 These funds support one youth intern to provide service-learning opportunities in support of the Parks & People Foundation's youth workforce training program, a key partner in Chesapeake Youth Corps workforces. Youth programs teach environmental stewardship, employ youth in development of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake and Star-Spangled Banner national historic trails, connect diverse participants with the outdoors and cultural heritage, and offer opportunities for career development. Virginia Youth Conservation Corps on the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail Partner:Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation - Richmond, VA Amount:$40,000 Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation employed and trained youth in projects on the James River along the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. These Virginia Youth Conservation Corps participants learned and applied technical skills, environmental principles, and outdoor recreation skills at James River State Park and at Lawrence Lewis, Jr. Park. Youth Intern, Chesapeake Youth Corps Network Partner:James River Association - Richmond, VA Amount:$25,000 These funds support one youth intern to provide service-learning opportunities in support of the Virginia Youth Conservation Corps, a key partner in Chesapeake Youth Corps workforces. Youth programs teach environmental stewardship, employ youth in development of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake and Star-Spangled Banner national historic trails, connect diverse participants with the outdoors and cultural heritage, and offer opportunities for career development. Public Access and Trail Development Projects Developing Public Water Access at Piscataway Park Partner:Accokeek Foundation - Fort Washington, MD Amount:$58,000 The Accokeek Foundation will significantly increase and improve public access to the Potomac River at Piscataway Park. Elements of the project include:1) construction of a new dock allowing visitors to arrive by water, 2) retrofit of the Saylor Grove/Fishing Pier to accommodate tour boats, 3) installation of a floating pier and fixed ramp, 4) addition of canoe/kayak dock, 5) upgrades to connecting pathways, and 6) way finding and interpretive resources. This project supports the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail, and the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. Juniata River Water Trail Access Partner:Allegheny Ridge Corporation - Mt. Union, and Mapleton, PA Amount: $17,065 The Allegheny Ridge Corporation is coordinating this project for planning and design of boating access at two communities along the Juniata River Water Trail, a National Recreation Trail in Huntingdon County, PA. This project includes planning, design, engineering and permitting of new and enhanced public access facilities at Mt. Union, PA and Mapleton, PA. The Juniata River Water Trail is a national recreation trail.
Anacostia Kingfisher Water Trail Master Plan & Public Access Project Partner:Anacostia Watershed Society - Bladensburg, MD Amount:$115,000 The Anacostia Watershed Society and partners will complete a water trail master plan encompassing the Anacostia River corridor from the Bladensburg Waterfront Park vicinity in Maryland through Washington DC to the confluence with the Potomac River. The project includes planning and development of several high priority, site specific trail access and interpretation projects; in particular, a canoe/kayak access facility will be constructed at a Maryland National Capital Parks and Planning Commission site, with other site planning and facility design work to be determined as the master planning proceeds. This project supports the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail and the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail. Benedict Waterfront Village Revitalization, Phase I completion Partner:Charles County, Maryland Amount: $44,000 Building on their Benedict Waterfront Village Revitalization Plan, Charles County will work with partners and community members to complete schematic design of Phase I priorities from the Village Gateway to the Benedict waterfront. Design features will include a village gateway with signage, native plantings, flagpole and lighting; pedestrian access to the waterfront including a 5' pedestrian pathway, and a trail and boardwalk over wetland areas with site furnishings and interpretive signage; and, waterfront improvements including a kayak launch. This project supports the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail and the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail. Great Bridge Lock Park Canoe/Kayak Launch Partner:City of Chesapeake, VA, Parks and Recreation Department - Chesapeake, VA Amount: $66,000 Funding will support the addition of an ADA compliant kayak/canoe launch at a popular public motor boat launch area in Great Bridge Lock Park. The launch site will allow paddlers safe and direct access to the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River and beyond.This project supports the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. Mount Harmon Plantation Dock & Water Access Improvement Project Partner:Friends of Mt. Harmon, Inc. - Earleville, MD Amount:$85,000 Outcomes of this project include a new public access dock, dock parking, canoe and kayak soft-landing, picnic area, updated public restroom facilities, interpretive and directional signage, and visitor service products.Mount Harmon currently has no public dock or water access facilities on site.This project supports the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail and the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail. Jersey Shore Borough Access on the Susquehanna River Water Trail - West Branch Partner:Jersey Shore Borough - Lycoming County, PA Amount:$75,000 The Jersey Shore Borough project will plan, design and engineer a new public river access/boat launch along Front Street to increase access to the Susquehanna River Water Trail - West Branch. The proposed design scope includes an access road, site grading, bank stabilization to minimize disturbance, directional, safety and interpretive signage, native tree plantings, a viewing area overlooking the river, a concrete boat launch and a pervious stone parking lot.This project supports the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. Planning and Design for Two Public Access Points on Cat Point Creekat Menokin Partner:Menokin Foundation - Warsaw, VA Amount:$70,000 This funding will support planning and design of two public access points on Cat Point Creek within the Menokin Foundation property in Richmond County, Virginia. Extensive site reconnaissance will balance proposed development with conservation of this important indigenous cultural landscape. This project supports the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. Access on the Nanticoke River Water Trail Partner:Nanticoke Watershed Alliance - Vienna, MD Amount: $35,000 This funding supports master planning, design and engineering for a new public access facility on the Nanticoke River Water Trail in Maryland. The Nanticoke Watershed Alliance and their partners will also create a comprehensive online map and guide to provide access and safety information as well as natural and cultural resource interpretation for the water trail. This project supports the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. Juniata River Water Trail, Howe Township Boating and Fishing Access Project Partner:Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission - Perry County, PA Amount:$57,514 The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will acquire property and develop a formal boat launch facility for canoes, kayaks and small motorized fishing boats.The new public water access facility will include a single lane concrete plank boat launch ramp, an ADA accessible courtesy dock with fishing access, an expanded parking area and an improved access road to aid traffic flow through the facility. The Juniata River Water Trail is a national recreation trail. Fort Hunter Park Public Access Project on the Susquehanna River Water Trail - Middle Branch Partner:Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission - Dauphin County, PA Amount:$89,250 This project will provide two additional access points at the Susquehanna River at Fort Hunter Park near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Dauphin County, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, will construct two non-motorized, handicapped accessible boat launches. These launch sites will include parking areas and pathways and will be safely separated from and augment an existing launch for motorized boats. This project supports the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. Occoquan Water Trail Access Enhancement Partner:Prince William County Department of Parks and Recreation - Woodbridge, VA Amount:$77,500 Led by the Prince William County Department of Parks and Recreation, this project will enhance access and visitor experiences on the Occoquan Water Trail-a component of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail.A central feature of the project is the installation of a universally accessible canoe/kayak floating dock and launch at the Lake Ridge Park Marina. Other project components include bank stabilization using a tiered system of bio-socks, a beach/soft launch area, an accessible pathway, and mile markers and other orientation signage along the water trail. This project supports the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. Chemung Basin River Trail and Headwaters River Trail Access Project Partner:Upper Susquehanna Coalition - Chemung County and Otsego County, NY Amount:$87,523 This project encompasses several inter-related water trail development initiatives.They are:1) Construction of a new 170 foot portage trail and access point on the south side of the Chemung River in Elmira, NY, 2) A new 15-mile water trail will be established on Oaks Creek by linking one existing site with three new fishing and paddling access sites, and 3) Visitor outreach initiatives will link the developing Oaks Creek Blueway Trail with established trail segments.This project supports the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. Interpretive Media along the Star-Spangled Banner Trail in the District of Columbia Partner:Cultural Tourism DC -District of Columbia Amount: $67,748 This project will be led by Cultural Tourism DC in coordination with the National-Capital Region's War of 1812 bicentennial collaborative of museums, parks and sites. The project will create a series of vertical post or wall-mounted interpretive waysides at sites in the DC area; an accompanying printed map guide highlighting history and recreation sites and activities in the DC area; and trail markers incorporated into existing outdoor orientation panels that are already part of Cultural Tourism's Neighborhood Heritage Trails program. This project supports the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail. North Point State Battlefield Design Partner:Maryland Department of Natural Resources - Baltimore County, MD Amount: $96,433 Building on the concept envisioned in Joining Forces: The Plan to Commemorate the North Point Battle of 1814, planning and design will be completed for North Point State Battlefield, to enable the park to make the improvements necessary to ready the park for visitors by the 200th anniversary of the Battle of North Point in fall 2014. Design elements include a parking lot for bicycles, automobiles, and buses; a gathering plaza; a low-maintenance, universally accessible, multi-use loop pathway; a pavilion; native plantings; seating; and interpretive signage. This project supports the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail. North Point State Park Visitor Center Exhibit Design Partner:Maryland Department of Natural Resources - Baltimore County, MD Amount: $35,000 This project will prepare the state park to fully utilize the existing North Point State Park Visitor Center as the primary orientation facility for visitors to the North Point peninsula.Design and construction drawings will be developed to modify the existing visitor center building to accommodate interactive exhibits about the War of 1812, Chesapeake Bay ecology, and life on the peninsula from prehistory, to the days of the Bayshore Amusement Park, until today; a flexible classroom space for web lab activities and classroom learning; an archival space for research; and a gift shop.This project supports the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail. |
Last updated: February 26, 2015