Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 76 / Wednesday, April 20, 2011 / Presidential Documents 22001 

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 21stcentury 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-tohome 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. 


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22002 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 76 / Wednesday, April 20, 2011 / Presidential Documents 

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. 

[FR Doc. 2011–9730 

Filed 4–19–11; 8:45 am] 

Billing code 3195–W1–P 


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