Founder's Day 2016

2016 marks the 100th birthday of the National Park Service

News Release Date: August 23, 2016

Contact: Nathan Hale Sargent, 415-561-4732

GGNRA Offers Suggestions to #FindYourPark

SAN FRANCISCO – Founder's Day, Thursday, August 25, marks the 100th anniversary of the creation of the National Park Service, and Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) is offering suggestions for the Bay Area to get involved in the celebration.

"It's our birthday, and we are sharing it with everyone," said Aaron Roth, Golden Gate National Recreation Area Acting General Superintendent. "Discover all that our public lands have to offer. Whether it's this week or any time during out centennial year, we want you to come find your park."

All national park entrance fees are waived from August 25 – August 28 in honor of Founder's Day (amenity and user fees such as the Alcatraz ferry and Muir Woods Shuttle still apply). 

Golden Gate National Recreation Area offers the following ideas to join the celebration:

1. #FindYourPark

GGNRA is encouraging everyone to #FindYourPark during the National Park Service centennial. Visit www.findyourpark.com to find national park experiences that fit your interests. The Bay Area offers a wide variety of national park sites, including:

[download images for the park sites below]

• Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site (Danville)
• Fort Point National Historic Site (San Francisco)
• Golden Gate National Recreation Area (Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo Counties)
• John Muir National Historic Site (Martinez)
• Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail (Many Bay Area Locations)
• Muir Woods National Monument (Mill Valley)
• Pinnacles National Park (Paicines)
• Point Reyes National Seashore (Point Reyes)
• Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial (Concord)
• Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park (Richmond)
• San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park (San Francisco)    

2. Make new discoveries with the GGNRA app

Download the new Golden Gate National Recreation Area app, available for the iPhone, to explore lesser-visited corners of Golden Gate National Recreation Area, including the hiking trails of Rancho Corral de Tierra in San Mateo County or the historic WWII fortifications of the Marin Headlands.

3. Enjoy the journey and the destination

Take advantage of public transit opportunities to visit park sites. Plan ahead for crowds at Muir Woods National Monument: the Muir Woods Shuttle operates weekends and holidays through Sunday, October 30.

4. Help us get Every Kid in a Park

Did you know every 4th grader is eligible to earn a free annual pass to all Federal lands and waters? The Every Kid in a Park program is a cornerstone of our Centennial celebration and is helping introduce parks and public lands to the next generation. Learn more at www.everykidinapark.gov.

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About GGNRA

Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) is one of the country's largest national park units in an urban area and includes under its management Fort Point National Historic Site and Muir Wood National Monument.

GGNRA spans three counties: Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo. With nearly 18 million annual visitors, it is both an international destination and a local treasure for the 7 million people who call the Bay Area home.

The park includes world-renowned destinations such as Alcatraz Island and Muir Woods, as well as many sites of regional and national importance, such as the Crissy Field, the Presidio, Marin Headlands, Stinson Beach, Fort Mason, Ocean Beach, Fort Funston, Sweeney Ridge, and Mori Point.

For more information visit https://www.nps.gov/GOGA