National Park Service Seeks Public Input on Bureau’s Centennial Celebration

Date: June 8, 2015
Contact: Adam Prato, [phone]

The federal bureau which manages over 400 national parks across the United States, like the Grand Canyon and the Statue of Liberty, will turn 100 years old in 2016. This year the National Park Service launched its "Find Your Park" campaign which begins a two year celebration commemorating its first 100 years of preservation and service to the public.

"The National Park Service has been a successful model of natural and cultural preservation during its first 100 years," said Pete Swisher, superintendent of Herbert Hoover National Historic Site in West Branch, Iowa. "Now it's time to think about the next 100 years and how we can continue to connect to our public audiences."

Along with the Find Your Park campaign, national park managers are meeting with park visitors and other members of the public to hear how they would like their national parks to celebrate this centennial. At Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, Superintendent Swisher is asking to hear which activities would best renew the American people's sense of ownership and interest in their national parks. A public listening session has been scheduled for July 8, 2015 at the Visitor Center, beginning with an open house to view the permanent exhibits installed in 2014.

The listening session will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a presentation about Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and with a brief discussion on the Find Your Park campaign. "Then it is your turn to provide your thoughts on appropriate activities or areas of emphasis you believe best connects with you," said Mr. Swisher. "The park will use this public input to plan its programming for 2016 and beyond."

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum are in West Branch, Iowa at exit 254 off I-80. Both are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. For more information go online at www.nps.gov/heho or call [phone].