Itai??i??s the 100th anniversary of America’s National parks, and last year was the 50th anniversary of the Delaware Water Gap being Declared a National Recreation Area.

The National Recreation Area falls under the category of National Parks. National Recreation areas are water-based parks that include open space and historical resources. Throughout 2016, the National Parks have been holding various events. Check our school newspaper to stay updated on them! Here are some facts about National Parks and our Water Gap:

Interesting facts about National Parks:

There are 58 National Parks in the United States.

There are 18 Recreational Parks.

The Nationai??i??s deepest cave is 1593 ft deep and in a National Park at it is located in Mexico.

There are 27,000 historic and prehistoric structures preserved within the National Parks System.

Sites that fall under ai???National Parksai??? are national memorials, seahorses, historic sites, battlefields, recreational parks, and more.

Several former prisons are under the management of the National Park Service, including Alcatraz, Andersonville, Fort McHenry and Dry Tortugas.

Fabulous Facts about the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area:

The Water Gap is about 1000 feet deep.

The DWGNRA consists of 70,000 acres (approximately 40 miles from end to end).

The DWGNRA boasts over 100 miles of hiking trails.

Agricultural fields have been farmed for more than 1000 years there.

Activities include : Boating, Biking, camping, fishing, hiking, historic sites, horseback riding, hunting, picnicking, water sports, and more.

The earliest known inhabitants in this region, the Lenni-Lenape Indians, made their home here before the arrival of European settlers.

The mountain ridges were sites for forts during the French-Indian War, and remnants of Revolutionary and Civil War cemeteries can still be found.

The Delaware River is one of the cleanest in the United States.

With 27 miles of the Appalachian Trail running through the Delaware Water Gap, everyone should take up the opportunity to go and check it out!
The recreation area is in the top 15 most visited National Parks, drawing millions of tourists every summer. DWG Park Ranger Michelle Stevens says that this is due to ai???our proximity to large metropolitan areas.ai???
ai???We have been protecting and preserving our parks for 100 years.ai??? said Stevens
Having a National Parks service system makes it easier to manage than having many individual parks. This system was created a hundred years ago through The Organic Act.
National Parks, including our DWG, are opened year round, providing national and cultural resources. This includes plant life, wildlife, and they people in the area.

Here are some events taking place during this month in our National Park:

October 15th – Centennial Event: Archeology Exhibit
Participate in a 6 mile hike starting at the Mochican Outdoor Center all the way to sunfish pond! 1pm-5pm

October 16th- Van Campen Day
Experience the history, culture, and daily life of the later 1750s-1760s through guided tours. 12 pm-5 pm

October 22nd- Octivities at Millbrook Village
Do hands on activities and see ai???the darkerai??? side of Millbrook village through a lantern tour. 2 pm- 7pm

October 22nd- Summer Lecture Series: The Lenape-Delaware Indian Heritage
The Director of Lenape Lifeways, will present a program on Native Americans. 7pm-8pm.

To find a National Park youai??i??d enjoy go to http://findyourpark.com/