News Release

Manhattan Project National Historical Park to Offer Fishing Education for Local Youth This Summer

NPS Photo

News Release Date: May 5, 2026

Contact: Park Visitor Center, 865-482-1942

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. — Manhattan Project National Historical Park in Oak Ridge, Tennessee will offer monthly fishing education programs, Let’s Go Fishing, in June, July, August and September. These new offerings, made possibly with a grant from the National Park Foundation, aim to promote fishing as an educational, safe and enjoyable outdoor recreational opportunity to connect youth, ages 12 and under, with the park and their local waters.

During each program, youth will work with park rangers and volunteers to learn the basics of fishing, from knot-tying to being stewards of the river. These activities, along with hands-on fishing, will earn them a Junior Ranger angler badge. Each participant will receive a fishing pole and basic tackle to use during the program. At the conclusion of the program, youth visitors can keep their Junior Ranger angler badge and fishing equipment.

“We are pleased to have the support of the National Park Foundation to expand youth programs in Oak Ridge,” said Niki Nicholas, site manager of the Oak Ridge Unit of Manhattan Project National Historical Park. “Without the Clinch River, there might not have been a Manhattan Project in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. These programs will expand offerings and keep the park accessible.”

As the official nonprofit partner to the National Park Service, the National Park Foundation works to conserve and preserve threatened wildlife and land, inspire the next generation of park stewards, tell the complete story of American history and ensure a world-class visitor experience. The recent grant to the park is for the purpose of providing fishing education programs for local youth.

Manhattan Project National Historical Park in Oak Ridge is also able to offer expanded visitor opportunities with the support of volunteers. The Volunteers-In-Parks program enables this and other park operations to better meet the needs of visitors from Oak Ridge and around the globe. Information about volunteering can be found at www.nps.gov/mapr/getinvolved/volunteer.

www.nps.gov

About Manhattan Project National Historical Park. Formally established in November 2015 via a Memorandum of Agreement between the Department of Energy and the National Park Service to preserve portions of three World War II sites (Oak Ridge, Tennessee; Los Alamos, New Mexico; and Hanford, Washington) where the United States developed the first atomic weapons, Manhattan Project National Historical Park marks the history of the people, science, events, and controversy associated with the creation of the atomic bomb. National Park Service preserves America’s most treasured natural and cultural places for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of this and future generations.