Celebrate Americas Best Idea on September 26

Date: September 18, 2009
Contact: Barb Maynes, 360-565-3005

Olympic National Park invites the public to celebrate National Public Lands Day and America’s best idea on Saturday, September 26.

“National parks belong to everyone, and we invite people to join us for a day of celebration and service on Saturday, September 26,” said Olympic National Park Superintendent Karen Gustin. “This will be a fun-filled day, perfect for enjoying America’s best idea!”

Free Entry on Saturday, September 26
Entrance fees will be waived throughout the park on September 26; camping, overnight wilderness permit and dump station fees will remain in effect.

Ranger-Guided Programs
Ranger-guided programs will be offered throughout the day at the Olympic National Park Visitor Center in Port Angeles, at Hurricane Ridge, the Hoh Rain Forest, Mora and Kalaloch. More information is posted on the park's event calendar. 

Screening of Ken Burns’ This Is America
In addition to guided programs, “This is America,” the 45-minute preview of Ken Burns’ new six-part, 12-hour series, “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea” will be shown at the Olympic National Park Visitor Center in Port Angeles at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.

“Response to Ken Burns’ new film has been extremely positive and we’re happy to be able to share this film again, especially for people who were unable to attend the preview screening on September 15,” remarked Gustin.

Volunteer Projects
Volunteer opportunities will be offered at Ozette, one of the park’s most popular wilderness destinations.

Volunteer projects will include a beach clean up along the Ozette coast between Cape Alava and Sand Point, trail work along the board walk trails connecting Ozette to the coast, and a variety of resource protection projects in the Ozette area.

Volunteers should check in at the Ozette Ranger Station on Friday, September 25 between 12:00 noon and 6:00 p.m. or on Saturday, September 26 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Volunteers should come prepared for working outdoors in all types of weather and should bring gloves, clippers, sturdy shoes and raingear.

Overnight wilderness use permits are required for camping on the park’s wilderness coast, including all areas of the Ozette coast. Permits must be reserved in advance by calling the park’s Wilderness Information Center at 360-565-3100. Although permits and reservations are required, permit fees will be waived for all volunteers who check in, so backpackers planning to volunteer should pick up their permit at the Ozette Ranger Station when they check in.

Hard-sided food containers are required for anyone camping on the park’s wilderness coast; containers are available for loan at the Ozette Ranger Station. A suggested $3 donation helps maintain the park’s loan program.

Camping fees at the Ozette campground will also be waived for volunteers who have checked in at the Ozette Ranger Station.

Special Screening of The National Parks: America’s Best Idea at Kalaloch Campground
Special screenings of the new six-part series by Ken Burns, “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea” will be offered nightly at 7:00 p.m. at the Kalaloch Campground Amphitheater from Sunday, September 27 through Friday, October 2.

The series premiers on September 27 at 8:00 p.m. on PBS stations across the country, including local affiliate KCTS 9; the screening at Kalaloch is offered especially for visitors who may not have access to television during the series.