The National Park Service (NPS) Chesapeake Bay Office announced today that the NPS is providing financial assistance to 21 partners and 24 projects with a combined financial commitment of $1,363,039. These projects with 21 partners in fiscal year 2012 address education, youth employment and stewardship programs, and public access and trail development in the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network and along the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail and the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. Each project is leveraged through additional means such as matching funds, in-kind services, and volunteer hours.
In collaboration with many partners, the National Park Service works to expand public access to the Chesapeake Bay and tributary rivers, build visitor experiences along two national historic trails, develop teacher resources in line with state standards, and expand service and employment opportunities for youth. "Through partner engagement and participation, each of these projects has a positive impact in local communities," said NPS Superintendent John Maounis. "Whether teaching the history of these places, introducing young people to possible career paths, or providing a new place to get to the water, these are investments in quality of life."
The Chesapeake Bay Office of the National Park Service administers the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network of partner sites, and also manages two of the nation's nineteen national historic trails. Both trails are comprised of land and water routes accessible through partner sites, are in active stages of development, and offer opportunities for educators and students that are both virtual and place-based. Educational programming, training in stewardship and outdoor recreation skills, and youth employment opportunities all contribute to trail development.
Trail development and youth engagement projects also advance public access goals set through the Strategy for Protecting and Restoring the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, the federal response to President Obama's Executive Order 13508. The strategy and subsequent draft public access plan call for the addition of 300 new sites where citizens can have a waterside experience, whether hiking, paddling, enjoying a picnic, or fishing.
Below is a list of 21 partners and 24 projects supported by the National Park Service. Project summaries can be accessed through www.baygateways.net.
Star-Spangled Banner Teacher Symposium
Partner: Center for the Constitution at James Madison's Montpelier - Orange, VA
Amount: $36,006
War of 1812 in Southern Maryland: Traveling Exhibit and Traveling Trunks
Partners: Southern Maryland Heritage Area, Calvert Marine Museum, and Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum - Charles County, St. Mary's County, and Calvert County, MD
Amount: $36,000
Maryland Conservation Job Corps on the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail
Partner: Maryland Department of Natural Resources - Prince George's County, MD
Amount: $40,000
Youth Intern, Chesapeake Youth Corps Network
Partner: Maryland Department of Natural Resources - Annapolis, MD
Amount: $25,000
Youth Workforce Training on the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail
Partner: Parks & People Foundation - Baltimore, MD
Amount: $60,000
Youth Intern, Chesapeake Youth Corps Network
Partner: Parks & People Foundation - Baltimore, MD
Amount: $25,000
Virginia Youth Conservation Corps on the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail
Partner: Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation - Richmond, VA
Amount: $40,000
Youth Intern, Chesapeake Youth Corps Network
Partner: James River Association - Richmond, VA
Amount: $25,000
Developing Public Water Access at Piscataway Park
Partner: Accokeek Foundation - Fort Washington, MD
Amount: $58,000
Juniata River Water Trail Access
Partner: Allegheny Ridge Corporation - Mt. Union, and Mapleton, PA
Amount: $17,065
Anacostia Kingfisher Water Trail Master Plan & Public Access Project
Partner: Anacostia Watershed Society - Bladensburg, MD
Amount: $115,000
Benedict Waterfront Village Revitalization, Phase I completion
Partner: Charles County, Maryland
Amount: $44,000
Great Bridge Lock Park Canoe/Kayak Launch
Partner: City of Chesapeake, VA, Parks and Recreation Department - Chesapeake, VA
Amount: $66,000
Mount Harmon Plantation Dock & Water Access Improvement Project
Partner: Friends of Mt. Harmon, Inc. - Earleville, MD
Amount: $85,000
Jersey Shore Borough Access on the Susquehanna River Water Trail - West Branch
Partner: Jersey Shore Borough - Lycoming County, PA
Amount: $75,000
Planning and Design for Two Public Access Points on Cat Point Creek at Menokin
Partner: Menokin Foundation - Warsaw, VA
Amount: $70,000
Access on the Nanticoke River Water Trail
Partner: Nanticoke Watershed Alliance - Vienna, MD
Amount: $35,000
Juniata River Water Trail, Howe Township Boating and Fishing Access Project
Partner: Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission - Perry County, PA
Amount: $57,514
Fort Hunter Park Public Access Project on the Susquehanna River Water Trail - Middle Branch
Partner: Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission - Dauphin County, PA
Amount: $89,250
Occoquan Water Trail Access Enhancement
Partner: Prince William County Department of Parks and Recreation - Woodbridge, VA
Amount: $77,500
Chemung Basin River Trail and Headwaters River Trail Access Project
Partner: Upper Susquehanna Coalition - Chemung County and Otsego County, NY
Amount: $87,523
Interpretive Media along the Star-Spangled Banner Trail in the District of Columbia
Partner: Cultural Tourism DC -District of Columbia
Amount: $67,748
North Point State Battlefield Design
Partner: Maryland Department of Natural Resources - Baltimore County, MD
Amount: $96,433
North Point State Park Visitor Center Exhibit Design
Partner: Maryland Department of Natural Resources - Baltimore County, MD
Amount: $35,000