Over 400 national parks across the United States are gearing up for the centennial in 2016.
Kim Kloes
According to the Saguaro Sentinel, the year was 1916 and the place was Washington, D.C. Congress passed and President Wilson signed the National Park Service Act.
This law provided an agency to oversee 37 parks and monuments scattered
from Maine to Hawaii. There were rangers and a visionary director, Mr. Stephen Mather, to take care of and develop these national treasures.
In March of 1933, a group of Tucson citizens convinced outgoing
president Herbert Hoover to proclaim Saguaro National Monument. It was
originally administered by the U.S. Forest Service but Parks director
Horace Albright lobbied incoming President Franklin Roosevelt to
transfer all National Monuments and a collection of historic areas to
Park Service care in August of 1933. This became the system of parks
that we know today.
The goal of the National Park Service Centennial in 2016 is to
"connect with and create the next generation of park visitors,
supporters and advocates.”
Today’s visit to the west station (there is also an east)
began early in the morning. The visitor center opens at 9:00 a.m. all
days of the week. The facility is relatively new and architecturally
appealing with its curves and rounded edges. It blends effortlessly into
its desert environment and makes a wonderful first stop to get
information and to dig a little deeper into what’s on the site.
Start your visit perusing the gift shop then head into the
theater for a 10 minute movie. Members of the Tohono O’Oodham narrate
and give the visitor a spiritual perspective of the desert. “We are the
desert and the desert is us.” It’s a charge to respect the environment.
There are overlays from another narrator that describe the Sonoran
desert environment. Add some meditative music and at the end of the
film, the screen raises, the curtain opens, and you are presented with a
magnificent, picturesque view of the environment. It is breathtaking.
The hike today was a very easy one. Walking along the Desert
Discovery trail, it is about .5 of a mile and is accessible for those in
wheelchairs or who have challenges walking. There are interpretive
signs along the way. Learn all about the cholla or the barrel cactus
while you walk this lovely path.
Off the Desert Discovery trail, descend the steps and walk
into the Javelina Wash. There is a rock outlined trail to follow that is
clearly marked and additional signage telling you not to go outside the
area. Along the way are outcroppings that appear cave-like. During
today’s visit was lots of birdsong, insect sounds and in-between all of
that, a tranquility that you must experience first hand.
There is a trail for every level of hiker and if you just
want to explore the Visitors Center or even stay in your car and drive
the five mile loop, those are options as well.
The western park region is located at 2700 N Kinney Road. Check out the website at www.nps.gov/sagu for further information.
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