National Park Week, 2011

Proclamation 8656 of April 15, 2011

National Park Week, 2011

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Every day, America's national parks--from the smallest
historic sites to the largest natural spaces--
contribute to our Nation's collective health and
spirit. These places preserve our unique history and
iconic symbols. They protect ecosystems and serve as
reservoirs of biodiversity. They are sources of natural
sounds, clean water, and fresh air. Our parks provide
accessible, safe, and affordable places to appreciate
the bounty of our land. They offer opportunities for
wholesome outdoor recreation, which can improve the
health and vitality of all Americans.

In no place is America's natural and historic legacy
more evident than our extraordinary collection of 394
national parks. ``Healthy Parks, Healthy People,'' the
focus for this year's National Park Week, highlights
the role of public lands--whether an iconic national
park or a local green space--in connecting human and
environmental well-being. To encourage citizens to
spend time in national parks, all entrance fees will be
waived during National Park Week. All Americans can
visit www.NPS.gov to find nearby parks where history
can be discovered and nature explored.

America is fortunate to have a long history of
conservation pioneers, like President Theodore
Roosevelt, who understood the value of protecting our
most precious landscapes. My Administration is building
on this legacy with the America's Great Outdoors
Initiative, designed to create a 21st-century
conservation ethic and reconnect Americans with our
natural, cultural, and historic heritage. We are
working to ensure more American children have access to
safe and clean parks and open spaces close to their
homes. We will better support the farmers, ranchers,
and private landowners that help protect rural
landscapes and we will manage our public lands and
waters with a renewed commitment to sound stewardship
and resilience. As part of this responsibility, Federal
agencies are also partnering with the First Lady's
``Let's Move!'' initiative on ``Let's Move Outside!,''
a program that connects young people and their families
to the outdoors to encourage healthy recreation.

The National Park Service, with 84 million acres of
land and 17,000 miles of trails, works with
environmental groups, scientists, business innovators,
and health-care providers to promote physical activity
in parks. Every Federal dollar invested in our national
parks generates benefits for State and local economies.
Beyond park boundaries, the National Park Service's
Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program
works with communities to create and enhance local
parks, revitalize rivers, preserve valuable open
spaces, and develop trail and greenway networks that
provide close-to-home outdoor opportunities for
everyone--from children to seniors--to get outside, get
healthy, and have fun.

During National Park Week, we reaffirm our need to
maintain connections to the natural world. Whether on
the open range or in the heart of a bustling city, each
of us can work to conserve our lands and reinforce the
importance of setting aside beautiful places for
inspiration, relaxation, and recreation for all people.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the
United States, do hereby proclaim April 16 through
April 24, 2011, as National Park Week. I encourage all
Americans to visit their national parks and be reminded
of these unique blessings we share as a Nation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
fifteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord two
thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.