Acknowledging the 100th Anniversary of the National Park Service on August 25, 2016, and recognizing Philadelphia's important role in the National Park System.

WHEREAS, The National Park Service was established on August 25, 1916, as an agency of the federal government charged with preserving the historical and ecological integrity of the places entrusted to its management while making them available and accessible for public use and enjoyment; and

WHEREAS, The National Park System comprises 410 units covering more than 84 million acres in every state, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, including national parks, monuments, battlefields, military parks, historical parks, historic sites, lakeshores, seashores, recreation areas, scenic rivers and trails, and the White House; and

WHEREAS, With the help of approximately 20,000 diverse professionals and 221,000 volunteers the National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations; and

WHEREAS, Among the National Park System’s designations in Philadelphia are Independence National Historic Park, Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site, Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church National Historic Site, and Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial; and

WHEREAS, The National Park Service's National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program has designated 14 Philadelphia sites and facilities as members, including the Amtrak Railroad Corridor; Belmont Mansion; Cliveden; Fair Hill Burial Ground; Johnson House; Independence National Historical Park; and Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church; and

WHEREAS, The National Park Service, through its Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives Program, has certified 181 projects in Philadelphia since 2015, representing over $1.26 billion in private investment in the rehabilitation of historic structures throughout the City; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia is home to a series of National Park Service community programs including Mantua Greenway; Living Classroom Partnership Program; Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association Trail Stewards; Delaware River Urban Waters Partnership; and Canoemobile; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby acknowledges the 100th Anniversary of the National Park Service on August 25, 2016, and recognizes Philadelphia’s important role in the National Park System.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That this City Council encourages residents of, and visitors to, Philadelphia to explore the historical and recreational areas in the City that are part of the National Park System.

End