Salazar Visits New York City to Discuss Role of Urban Parks in America's Great Outdoors

“As we approach the centennial of our National Park System, we applaud the Administration for recognizing the important role that urban national parks play in protecting and preserving America’s Great Outdoors.

“Many urban communities have national park sites in their backyards and we must ensure young people and all Americans have the opportunity to experience these places that hold our natural and cultural heritage. Here in New York City, the national parks of the New York/New Jersey Harbor collectively protect nearly 27,000 acres of parkland. Additionally, there are more than 20 national parks spread between Sandy Hook and New Rochelle.

“The New York metropolitan region is the most populated and diverse in the country, a landscape that has more than 22 million residents, provides 8.6 million jobs and produces a gross regional product of more than $1 trillion. Creating a thriving world-class harbor that protects and features national parks like Gateway National Recreation Area and the Statue of Liberty, will both protect our heritage and help meet the environmental, recreational, and economic needs of one of the most densely urbanized areas in the world.

“America’s Great Outdoors provides us an opportunity to work collaboratively with federal, state, county and local leaders to help ensure the diverse needs and uses of our urban community are preserved and protected for our children and grandchildren to enjoy.”

View a full copy of the America’s Great Outdoors report.

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About National Parks Conservation Association
Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its more than one million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation’s natural, historical, and cultural heritage for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org.