America celebrates National Park Week from April 18-26, 2015 with a series of local and online events that highlight the value of the nation’s vast park system. The following is a statement from Stephanie Meeks, president and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation:

“We join Americans across the country in celebrating our national parks this week. National Park Week offers an opportunity to explore these remarkable cultural resources, many of which capture important chapters in our history. Two-thirds of our 407 national parks were created because of their historic and cultural importance. From President Lincoln’s Boyhood Home in Indiana, to Appomattox Court House in Virginia, to Lewis and Clark National Historical Park in the Pacific Northwest, these parks embody the people, places, and events that shaped our nation.

“We hope that all Americans will take this opportunity to enjoy the many fascinating and diverse stories of our nation’s history during National Park Week and throughout the year.”

BACKGROUND

The National Trust’s portfolio of nearly 60 National Treasures includes several national parks where the organization is actively engaged in significant preservation efforts. These include the Elkhorn Ranch unit of North Dakota’s Theodore Roosevelt National Park; New Jersey's Hinchliffe Stadium, home to a former Negro league baseball team, and the three-state Manhattan Project site.

Organized by the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation, National Park Week includes a weekend of free park admission, a day of service on Earth Day (April 22), and public photo and story sharing. Join the conversation at #FindYourPark.