National Park Week is taking place this month, sparking support across the U.S. and within the RV industry for the weeklong event’s spotlight on outdoor recreation.
President Joe Biden encouraged April 17-25 to be a time for “Americans to find their park, recreate responsibly and enjoy the benefits that come from spending time in the natural world.” The president released a proclamation detailing his own experiences at Yellowstone National Park, expressing support to the “singular wonders of our nation.”
“I will never forget one of my own such visits, which has long shaped my personal reverence for our national parks,” Biden said. “In 1972, after my wife and daughter were killed in a car accident, my two young sons, Beau and Hunter, were hospitalized for an extended period. As they recovered, they became enamored of the idea of visiting Yellowstone — thanks in large part to a favorite TV show, Yogi Bear, which was set in a fictionalized version of America’s first national park. In the summer of 1974, my boys and I flew into Salt Lake City, rented a camper, drove up through Dinosaur National Park and arrived for a week at Yellowstone. Our time there nourished us, filled us with awe and restored in all of us a sense of the future that had been quieted by our loss.”
Biden noted even while maintaining social distancing and wearing masks, 237 million people visited U.S. national parks in 2020. The U.S. has more than 400 national parks.
“Every visit leaves an indelible impression — due not only to the natural splendor of each park, but to the dedicated stewardship of the Department of the Interior and National Park Service,” Biden said.
RVIA stated its federal affairs team has worked closely with the Interior Department to improve National Park Service campgrounds, helping to pass the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) to push efforts.
“We look forward to continuing our work with the National Park Service, the Forest Service, and the Department of the Interior to create and maintain updated campgrounds and RV sites,” RVIA Director of Government Affairs Chris Bornemann said.
GAOA was signed into law Aug. 4 last year, and provides $9.5 billion over the next five years to address infrastructure within the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and other federal agencies. The funds will address campground modernization and deferred maintenance on public lands, RVIA stated.
“Amenities are being improved and we are working on standardization guidelines to make sure all campsites are properly maintained,” Bornemann said. “This is a huge project, and we are confident the results will mean improved experiences for RVers and national park visitors.”
The association’s federal affairs team has worked closely with the National Park Service’s Second Century Campground strategy, a plan to invest in the nation’s campgrounds and develop a “standardized strategy for expanding and maintaining them.” Plans for improved amenities include increasing RV accessible sites, electric hookups, water and dump stations and Wi-Fi connectively at camping sites across the U.S.
President Biden addressed other aspects of the park spotlight, including recent National Park System additions: Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument, the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park, the Stonewall National Monument, and the César Chávez National Monument at the Chávez Residence in Delano, California.
The President touched on other new programs working to support people of color, including the African American Civil Rights Network, Underground Railroad Network to Freedom and Tribal Heritage grants.
“[The programs] reflect our commitment for our parks to serve as sources of support, validation, healing, and connection for people of color, Indigenous people and others who have been historically marginalized and neglected,” Biden said.
The association continues to celebrate National Park Week with themed days, such as “Transformation Tuesday” today.
“During National Park Week, let us dedicate ourselves to greater improvement, enjoyment and preservation of our natural treasures, and to continue to find inspiration, strength and all else we seek within them,” Biden said.
