Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail - Park Planning (U.S. National Park Service)

The National Park Service Centennial in 2016

The Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, one of eight national scenic trails within the National Trails System, is also considered a “unit” of the National Park System. While many have come to describe the Trail as a “partnership” or “network,” the dual designations suggest roles for Trail partners and projects leading up to the celebration of the National Park Service Centennial in 2016. The attached document, for your information and comment, indicates a “strategy” for Trail administration over the next eight years.

Potomac Heritage NST Centennial Strategy

Centennial Vision

In celebration of the 100^th anniversary of the National Park Service in 2016, America invites the world to discover the meaning of national parks to their lives and inspires people to both experience and become devoted to these special places.

On August 25, 2006–-the 90th anniversary of the National Park Service–-Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne launched the National Park Centennial Initiative to prepare national parks for another century of conservation, preservation and enjoyment. Since then the National Park Service asked citizens, park partners, expertsand other stakeholders what they envisioned for a second century of national parks.

A nationwide series of more than 40 listening sessions produced more than 6,000 comments that helped to shape five centennial goals. The goals and vision were presented to President Bush and to the American people on May 31^st in a report called The Future of America’s National Parks.

Every national park staff took their lead from this report and created local centennial strategies to describe their vision and desired accomplishments by 2016. This is just the first year, and there are many great things to come as the National Park Service prepares to celebrate 100 years!

To keep up with the Centennial Initiative and to experience the interactive version of The Future of America’s National Parks and special features please visit the centennial website at www.nps.gov/2016.