Happy Centennial, National Park Service!

By Daniel Barringer, Preserve Manager

Today the National Park Service celebrates 100 years, and (like the PBS documentary suggests) I think it is America’s Best Idea. These breathtaking places are a national treasure and making them parks has democratized them so that everyone can enjoy them—truly an American social as well as environmental legacy. And think of how much of the conservation movement worldwide has been a result of the ethic that wanted these lands protected, managed and shared.

We are particularly fortunate at Crow’s Nest Preserve to share a boundary with a unit of the National Park Service: Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. More than just a neighbor, we have enjoyed the benefits of being their partner on many projects, from trail building to invasive plant management to dark sky initiatives to the land preservation efforts of the Hopewell Big Woods.

It’s hard for me to believe that it has been almost 20 years since we built the trail that connects Crow’s Nest to Hopewell Furnace. You can hike to the village (or many other trails there or in French Creek State Park) from our parking area and visitor center, or start there and find your way here! Their Baptism Creek Trail connects to our Hopewell Trail and you can easily walk from one to the other without using public roads.

Happy Centennial, National Park Service!