Driving from the city to the countryside is nothing short of cathartic. As blocks fade to acres, the stress and pressure dissolve as the cacophonous noises of urban life disappear entirely. The value of open space in America is something that separates us from many of our counterparts on this Earth. National Parks are not just spaces that have not been occupied; they are the American experience.
America was founded on the principle of wilderness and the “Great Unknown.” Venturing into the woods, forging a destiny, with little to no idea of what the outcome could be. The American Dream is the unknown, and this is what our National Parks represent.
Yet, in the wake of uncertain times, these seemingly untouchable bastions of goodness and patriotism could come under fire. According to a Newsweek article, Washington D.C.’s rumor mill is busy with the possibility of Sarah Palin being up for the role of secretary of the Department of the Interior. In the article, former Chief Historian to the National Park Service Dwight Pitcaithley responded in the most accurate way possible.
“Oh my god,” he said.
Whether this is true or not, the role of the secretary of the interior is not something to be taken lightly, considering he or she “is in charge of overseeing the National Park Service, as well as overseeing all federal lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management,” according to the article.
Despite the political mumblings, the American relationship with National Parks deserves a retrained lens. Many believe that younger generations are to blame for the decline of popularity in national parks. Yet, exactly the opposite could be argued.
National Geographic’s October cover story outlined millennials and their relationship with the Great Outdoors. While outlining eye-roll-inducing selfies and the need for “the perfect Insta,” the author, Timothy Egan, also explained how actually seeing what is out there is encouraging others to explore for themselves.
Using this summer’s “Pokemon Go” craze as any indicator, millennials can be enticed from their urban enclaves with little prodding. Certainly, technology was the main instigator in this case, but there is hope. Yes, people were glued to their screens and wandering aimlessly. But they were still outdoors.
As young adults, we crave the connectedness to our friends. Today, that implies a constant line to social media. This can stem from a lack of self-confidence, but as we mature and become more self-aware, we begin to crave a level of disconnectedness. Ironically, it’s also when our lives become most stressful.
It’s not that young people do not appreciate open spaces or our National Parks. In fact, we would love to have more time to get out and explore, but we live in an age where our schedules are packed with “other things.” How do we break out? Who knows?
Putting our hindrances from actually accessing National Parks as young people aside, a greater understanding of their role in our nation is necessary. Some Americans were lucky enough to be raised near National Parks, road-tripping to see Old Faithful or Half Dome while making family memories along the way. These are the people who will keep coming back, but what about the others?
National Parks are inextricably related to Native American history that far precedes our own presence in this nation. Traveling to a site and learning its significance to a population older than your own is enriching on so many levels. To rip this from existence is unthinkable.
A National Park does not need to be a great vacation to the Wild West. Open space exists in every state of the nation, but we just don’t know how to take advantage of it. The Cape Cod National Seashore, an absolute gem in the crown of our nation’s parks, is just a few hours south of Boston. Marketing efforts need to actually connect millennials with the prospect of escaping the city.
As a generation, we need to reevaluate our relationship with National Parks. After all, we will soon be the ones who have the responsibility of protecting them. Why not get out there and enjoy them in the process?
