National Park Service turns 100

National Park Service turns 100

On Aug. 26, 2016 the National Parks Service (NPS) will celebrate its 100th birthday. In celebration of this important milestone, the NPS is leading a year-long initiative to highlight parks across the country. Arkansas is home to seven beautiful national parks and several other national historic sites, so I’ve decided to join the NPS in their efforts. This week, I announced my own initiative to recognize each of Arkansas’s national parks.

Over the next year, I will post several graphics featuring each of Arkansas’s national parks on my social media pages. I will also submit remarks to the Congressional Record each month highlighting the history of each park or historic site. I will post those remarks on my official website. If you have a favorite park or a story from one of these parks, please be sure to contact my office so I can share your story in the Congressional Record. I would also like to feature your favorite photos of our National Parks, so be sure to submit those as well.

I am excited to share some of my personal stories from these treasured places and highlight why they’re so special. For instance, did you know that Arkansas Post National Park was the site of the Battle of Arkansas Post, the only Revolutionary War activity that took place in what is currently the state of Arkansas? I have many memories of visiting Hot Springs National Park as a young boy with my family and I can’t wait to take my son Gabriel there one day too. I hope you will take some time to visit my website and social media pages to learn more.

You may not know that there are several entrance fee-free days at National Parks around the country where all fees are waived for that particular day.

There are 16 days scheduled for 2016.

Additionally, all fourth grade students in the United States are eligible for free entry to National Parks throughout the year under the National Park Service’s “Every Kid in a Park” program. I encourage you to visit the National Park Service’s website to learn more.

Arkansas is the Natural State and Arkansans have an inherent appreciation for the beauty of our parks. That’s why it’s no surprise that our National Parks and National Historic Sites are some of the best in the country. Be sure and stay tuned for more on Arkansas’s National Parks!

From U.S. Senator Tom Cotton