National Parks

National Parks Week is celebrated every year in April and this year’s week falls on April 16 through 24. While we may not spend a lot of time thinking about them, our national parks are a true treasure. I have had the pleasure of visiting a few national parks myself. In 2018, I took a trip with my family and visited the Grand Canyon in Arizona and Zion National Park in Utah. I didn’t know much about Zion before going and was amazed by its beauty. I treasure the memories from both of those parks!

National parks are protected areas that are designated by acts of Congress. They are operated by the National Park Service, which is an agency of the Department of the Interior. Certain areas get chosen as national parks for a number of reasons. It could be their natural beauty (I’m looking at you, Zion!). It could also be for their unique ecosystems, wildlife, or geological features. These features can include forests, deserts, waterways, caves, and more. Some areas may also be chosen for their historical significance. Once chosen, these areas are protected so that all can enjoy them.

There are 63 national parks. The first was Yellowstone, which was established in 1872. Yellowstone is famous for its plentiful geysers, which are the result of underground volcanic activity. The newest park is New River Gorge in West Virginia, which was established in 2020. In addition to the 63 parks, the National Park Service oversees around 400 additional park “units”. These are often of geological or historical significance. We have a few here in New Jersey, which include the Thomas Edison National Historic Park in West Orange and Paterson’s Great Falls.

Our 63 national parks are spread across the country. California has the most parks with nine, followed closely by Alaska with eight. You will have heard of (or visited) many of the parks, but some are lesser known. Most of us are familiar with Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon and Yosemite. But how about the Petrified Forest in Arizona? This park consists of one of the world’s largest collections of wood so old (225 million years!) that it has turned to stone. Amidst these petrified logs are fossils and colored quartz stone which can make the landscape look rainbow hued. Or, how about Cuyahoga Valley in Ohio? This is a newer park, having been established in 2000. This park features forests, wetlands, waterfalls, and historic sites and is home to many plants and animals. It also houses the oldest train still running in North America, whose tracks are almost 150 years old.

If you would like to learn more about our national parks, or visit one, the Mercer County Library System has several books to help you. Below are some suggestions for both children and adults. Please note that some of these titles will say there are 62 parks, since they were published just before New River Gorge was designated. You can also visit the National Parks Service Website at www.nps.gov for more information about our wonderful national park system.

National Parks: The American Experience by Alfred Runte (2022) 

This is an updated fifth edition history of America’s national parks and why they are important.

The Art of the National Parks (2021) 

This beautiful book features contemporary artists’ renditions of national parks.

This is a Book for People Who Love the National Parks by Matt Garczynski (2020) 

This provides a history of the National Parks Service and profiles of the national parks, which feature unusual facts and modern illustrations.

The National Parks: Discover All 62 Parks of the United States by Stefanie Payne (2020) 

This book provides a brief and interesting profile of each park for kids.

National Parks Maps: Illustrated Maps of America’s 62 National Parks by Abby Leighton (2021) 

In addition to facts about each park, this book provides artistic maps of the geography and sights of each park.

Walks of a Lifetime in America’s National Parks: Extraordinary Hikes in Exceptional Places by Robert E. Manning (2020) 

This book provides readers with information about the best hikes in each park and includes both short hikes and longer treks.

Yosemite by Marion Dane Bauer (2020) 

Beginner readers can learn all about Yosemite National Park in this book for children.

Saving Yellowstone: Exploration and Preservation in Reconstruction America by Megan Kate Nelson (2022) 

This is a fascinating history of our first national park and how it was established.

Grand Canyon (2021) 

This is a practical travel guide that covers all you’ll need to know about visiting the Grand Canyon.

Bringing Back the Wolves: How a Predator Restored an Ecosystem by Jude Isabella (2020) 

This children’s book, which would also appeal to adults, tells the ecological tale of the impact of the gray wolf on Yellowstone’s ecosystem. 

- by Christine C., Hollowbrook Branch