National Parks Get $750 Million
April 23, 2009 by Gennaro
Filed under Travel News
National Parks in the United States received $750 million from the economic stimulus in order to address much needed repairs and construction. The package will help to pay for over 750 projects across the country. A few of the repairs include work at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Ellis Island in New York, Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, and multiple stop across the Appalachian Trail. A full list of the projects by state can be found at the Department of the Interior website.
Castle Geyser, Yellowstone National Park © Dominiqs
The National Park Service projects will address much needed maintenance across the nation. Though $750 million is a sizable amount with the current economic crisis, the preservation efforts will create 30,000 to 40,000 new jobs. If the United States wants to be serious about conservation, their parks must be kept in satisfactory condition. It’s no coincidence that the announcement of the funds landed on Earth Day. It’s meant to send a signal that the Obama Administration is committed to being green. Expect more projects that are funded by the federal government in the coming years.
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Gennaro Salamone is the founder and editor of Enduring Wanderlust. Feel free to contact him with questions, comments, or inquiries with reference to contributing a travel article or photograph for publication.
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Barcelona, Spain
It creates 30,000 to 40,000 jobs so that goes a long way in making up for the $750 million. In fact, I’d consider making a bigger investment with so many losing their jobs of late. A lot of parks are in bad shape. I’ve been to a couple that were surprisingly in need of basic repairs.
Spend a lot of time traveling to national parks. It’s a good way to spend the funds. It also allows more people to visit them especially Americans who can’t afford a trip abroad this year. I don’t favor too much of an increase though. Too many other problems to deal with.
Never understood why so many Americans are against protected their parks and wilderness. With so much land there it’s important to keep some for nature.
@Tika
A lot of the National Parks and important buildings are in need of repair. This will make a small, but necessary dent in that. If the job creation is deemed a success then it’s likely to grow in the coming years.
@John H
Interesting point. We’ll see if the cut down in trips abroad will cause more trips to the park system. That’s likely.
@Yen
The is a very significant number of Americans who care about preservation. More and more are also supporting green initiatives. Politics plays a role in this too.
Yes, totally, as long as none of the money gets caught up in “red tape” or bureaucracy! If it means creating new jobs then I say it is worth it! It’s actually a great investment–into the land, our future, and our children’s.
Think we may be headed to the 1930′s with job create coming from Washington D.C. The environment could use more attention including the national parks. Nice to see it getting done. Finally. I visit these sites regularly Not just parks, but places like Independence Hall that fall under the same department.
@jen laceda
Red tape is often an issue, but these funds will be delivered. I think we’re in for a lot more investment and environment in infrastructure over the next couple of years.
@Jill T
Certainly not as extreme as the 1930′s, but there will be a few more of those types of work programs. That and volunteer opportunties especially for younger Americans.
Support this 100%. It’s needed. I don’t visit these places enough, but will start. Thinking that more investment is a positive. Earth Day should be one day. It’s an everyday philosophy.
We’re planning a long road trip this summer. Will be making stops at as many of these parks as possible. Glad that the upkeep is happening.
@Tim
Earth Day brings attention to the cause, but it’s true that it has to be in the daily thoughts of supporters.
@Liz
Sounds like a fun trip.
If it creates jobs and protects our land, I dont see anything wrong with investing in our natural resources.
It sort of makes you wonder how places of such importance can fall into such disrepair doesn’t it. Perhaps if they were properly maintained the money could have been used elsewhere.
@Carla
It’s a step in the right direction. Jobs are certainly needed and these are some of the most important nature spots.
@Sire
That makes a lot of sense. Basic upkeep often prevent bigger problems. Unfortunately, politics enters this as with many other issues.
The problem is that politician running the country is that they know they have good supply of money, our taxes. If it was their money I bet they would be a lot more careful on how they use it.
Gennaro,
Not being familiar with the state of national parks in your country, I am in no position to make any form of informed assessment as to whether or not the planned projects represent a sound investment and the most productive use of your country’s public funds.
That said, there are much worse ways to spend money, and the preservation of nature and wildlife is certainly a more than worthwhile cause
When it’s amazing numbers like that, I wonder how they figure out and divide the budget. That’s really non-trivial. I also wonder how they setup their tests for success and accountability, but that’s my PM side talking.
@Sire
There is a lot of work to be done improving the usage of taxes.
@Andrew
The parks are in need of maintenance. There is a backlog of labor that equals $9 billion. I know, a huge number. It’s a cause that is getting some traction over the past year or so.
@J.D. Meier
That’s an interesting point. One of the issue that people have with government spending is the lack of accountability. Not to mention un-balanced budgets. Reports are submitted for the projects. Not sure if heads rolls based on the results though.
This is awesome news. As someone who lives in Philadelphia, the Independence Mall area could use a face lift. I am happy to hear about this development. Thanks, Gennaro!
I would love to actually see how much of that 750 million actually makes it into working being done. Say 750 million actually makes it to pay the people in those 40,000 jobs that would only be 18,000 roughly per job, who will work for that? and even if someone did, where would the rest of the money be for actual supplies needed to work? Unless people are getting paid to watch trees grow or make sure dirty stays in place which would certainly be what I would expect from the American government.
@Nadia
As a over of history, I always enjoy the Indepedence Hall area too.
@Michael
Interesting take on it. I haven’t seen a breakdown of the budget, but have read through the work to be done. It’s worthy work, we’ll see how it plays out.
Gennaro,
In that case, the money allocated to the parks sounds like a very worthwhile investment – a lot more so than some of the other things which they seem to be spending public money on these days.
it’s about time our parks get some love
@Andrew
That’s true. Lots of public money is spend in a lot less deserving areas.
@Nomadic Matt
I’m with you, Matt.
I travel extensively and help communities wherever I go through my own hard work and sometimes thru donations to families and/or schools directly.
I do not care for “organizations” which spend most of the money just being “organized” while little actually filters down to do some help!
I suggest all americans should travel abroad to see how the rest of the world lives and help by going somewhere and doing something/anything by YOURSELF. Then come back to the USA and go out and make a contribution to make our country better too. It will open your eyes!
@Michael
Certainly the most important thing is that funds go directly to helping people or the environment (in this case). There plenty of organization that do this well. Other that don’t. It’s a matter of finding the right ones.
That’s good news for environmental conservation. I wonder if that can trickle down eventually to some of the smaller city parks as well, as those are a value to the community and in most areas, are in desperate need of some help.
~ Kristi
@Kristi
Good point about smaller park in urban areas. Thinking it would get there too eventually as the mind set changes.
This is so great for the parks, finally some help for what we have destroyed!
I would love to actually see how much of that 750 million actually makes it into working being done. Say 750 million actually makes it to pay the people in those 40,000 jobs that would only be 18,000 roughly per job, who will work for that? and even if someone did, where would the rest of the money be for actual supplies needed to work? Unless people are getting paid to watch trees grow or make sure dirty stays in place which would certainly be what I would expect from the American government.
@Maria – Can’t hurt.
@Bruce – Oversight is always important to ensure the funds are spent properly.