Public is Invited to Celebrate Congaree's 35th Anniversary on October 18

Date: October 7, 2011
Contact: Lauren Gurniewicz, 803-647-3969

The public is invited to join the staff at Congaree National Park in celebration of its 35^th anniversary as a national park unit. The park will celebrate with cake and a showing of ETV's documentary about the creation of the park, "Roots in the River."Young visitors are also invited to complete the Congaree National Park Junior Ranger program during the celebration.The event will take place at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center from 12:00-12:30 pm on Tuesday, October 18.

After two decades of advocacy by private citizens to protect the largest intact tract of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the United States, President Gerald Ford signed Public Law 94-545, authorizing the establishment of Congaree Swamp National Monument on October 18, 1976.The park's designation changed to Congaree National Park in 2003. An international biosphere reserve and federally-designated Wilderness area, Congaree National Park serves as a classroom and laboratory for visitors, students, and scientists from around the world. Visitors can explore 26 miles of hiking trails, 2.5 miles of boardwalk, a wilderness canoe trail, campground, and visitor center, each providing unique experiences.

The Harry Hampton Visitor Center is open 9:00 am-5:00 pm, 7 days per week from October 1-March 31 each year and 9:00 am-5:00 pm, Sunday-Thursday and 9:00 am-7:00 pm, Friday and Saturday from April 1-September 30.The facility is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.Visitors are encouraged to explore Congaree at any time, as the park's grounds and trails remain open 24 hours, 7 days per week.

For information call 803-776-4396.