Contact: Elizabeth Rogers, (631) 687-4766 Patchogue, NY - The National Park Service (NPS) invites visitors of all ages to join in the celebration of its 100th birthday throughout the month of August. With special events across the country, and free admission to all 412 national parks from August 25 through August 28, the NPS is encouraging everyone to #FindYourPark/#EncuentraTuParque for the centennial. "August - our birthday month - will be a nationwide celebration of national parks, and we're inviting everyone to the party,"said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. "We like to think that we look pretty good for 100, and with so many events and activities to commemorate this milestone, we hope all Americans will join us to celebrate the breathtaking landscapes and inspiring history in our nation's parks and public lands. Whether it is in a distant state or in your own community, there are hundreds of ways and places to find your park." Find Your Park at Fire Island National Seashore "Everyone is invited to find their park at Fire Island National Seashore," said Seashore Superintendent Chris Soller. "New exhibits and special programs, and activities for all ages will be offered all month long." In addition to joining a park ranger- and partner-led program, visitors may participate in self-guided "Centennial Challenges" by joining a beach cleanup, hiking 20.16 miles, volunteering 201.6 hours, or sharing #100FireIslandPhotos. At the William Floyd Estate 100 never-before-seen items are on display from the Seashore's museum collections, and at the Fire Island Island Lighthouse special exhibits explore beach life and what it was like to be a Lighthouse Keeper one hundred years ago. The "Find Your Park" juried Art Exhibition, curated by Dawn Lee, professor and curator of the St. Joseph's College Art Department, is also on display at the Patchogue Watch Hill Ferry Terminal. The exhibit showcases the national park-inspired works of more than 25 artists. Paintings, drawings, photographs, and mixed-media highlight national parks such as Hawaii Volcanoes, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Sagamore Hill, and, of course, Fire Island National Seashore. All are invited to meet the artists, see their work, and celebrate the centennial at the exhibit reception on Thursday, August 25 - the official 100th birthday of the NPS. Winners of the Children's Centennial Art Contest will also be on display. For more information on the centennial celebration at Fire Island National Seashore visit www.nps.gov/FIIS. Entrance Fees Waived for the NPS Birthday through the Weekend Entrance fees will be waived nationwide from August 25 through August 28 to encourage everyone to celebrate the NPS 100th birthday. There is no entrance fee at Fire Island National Seashore and the fee waiver does not cover amenity or user fees for activities such as camping, boat launches, transportation, or special tours. To continue the national park adventure beyond these entrance fee-free days, the $80 America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Pass allows unlimited entrance to more than 2,000 sites, including all national parks, throughout the year. There are also a variety of free or discounted passes available for senior citizens, current military members, fourth grade students, and disabled citizens. Find Your Park to Celebrate the Centennial On August 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the act that created the National Park Service "to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for future generations." To celebrate the 100th anniversary of that moment and to look ahead to the next 100 years, in early 2015 the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation launched the Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque movement. Inspiring people from all backgrounds to celebrate and support America's national parks and community-based programs, #FindYourPark/#EncuentraTuParque invites people to discover and share their own unique connections to our nation's natural landscapes, vibrant culture, and rich history. |
Last updated: August 1, 2016