Shenandoah National Park

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Shenandoah River, Fall 2011

Shenandoah National Park is a U.S. national park encompassing part of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Long and narrow, with the Shenandoah Valley on the west side, and the Virginia Piedmont on the east, the most prominent feature of the Park is the scenic Skyline Drive. Almost 40% of the land area (79,579 acres) has been designated as wilderness and is protected as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System.

Albemarle County contains a small portion of the park in its most southeastern extremity.[1]


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Creation

Shenandoah National Park was established in 1935 when the Civilian Conservation Corps began building visitor's centers. The majority of the park was finished by the beginning of World War II. [2] The park was dedicated on July 3, 1936 by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. [3]

Purchase for land began in 1929. [4]


Environmental activism

On July 18, 2012, environmental activists met at Darden Towe Park to discuss Congressional legislation they consider dangerous to Shenandoah and other Virginia wildlife. Among the bills discussed were The American Lands Act (H.R. 2588), which would direct the federal government to sell certain Federal lands to reduce the deficit and Wilderness Development Act (H.R. 2834), which would allow access to off-road vehicles on Federal land. The conference coincided with the release of the report, “Trashing our Treasures: Congressional Assault on the Best of America,” by Environment America.[5]

References

  1. Web. Map of Shenandoah National Park, official website, U.S. National Park Service, retrieved 16 Mar 2012.
  2. Web. History and Culture, National Park Service, 11 Aug 2010, retrieved 15 Mar 2012.
  3. Web. Great Crowd at Park Dedication, Daily Progress Digitized Microfilm, Lindsay family, July 3, 1936, retrieved July 2, 2021 from University of Virginia Library. Print. July 3, 1936 page 1.
  4. Web. To Begin Purchase Within 60 Days, Staff Reports, Daily Progress Digitized Microfilm, Lindsay family, January 23, 1929, retrieved January 21, 2017 from University of Virginia Library. Print. January 23, 1929 page 1.
  5. Web. Environmentalists say Shenandoah National Park at risk, Charlottesville Tomorrow, July 18, 2012, retrieved July 18, 2012.

External Links

Official Site