Active Trails Grant

Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park is one of 25 national parks selected to receive a 2016 Active Trails grant from the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s national parks. This grant will be used to encourage first-time visitors to “Find their Park” in their own backyard.

Now in its eight year, the Active Trails program supports healthy living by getting people out and active in national parks through projects promoting recreation and exercise. “Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park hosts active recreational opportunities to bike, kayak, canoe and hike while learning about the park’s history and resources,” said Kim Coons,Chief of Interpretation and Resource Education. “We look forward to strengthening our partnership with a local nonprofit, Glass House Collective. Together we plan to provide support for an urban, underserved neighborhood in East Chattanooga to discover our parks.”

“Sherman Reservation, a 50-acre public attraction, is located at the north end of a community that is undergoing revitalization. Thanks to our Active Trails program, we’re also able to interact with Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park in a much more intensive way in order to make it easier for people of all backgrounds to participate. Our residents will discover how they can actively enjoy our national parks in ways that speak to their unique interests,” said Teal Thibaud, Executive Director of Glass House Collective.

Since 2008, the National Park Foundation has granted more than $3.85 million through its Active Trails program. As of early 2015, Active Trails has engaged more than 12,000 volunteers and 740 project partners.

“National parks, both urban, and rural, can provide opportunities to improve one’s physical and mental health,” said Sara Newman, Director of the Office of Public Health at the National Park Service. “The scientific evidence is mounting to demonstrate that physical activity in the outdoors can lead to numerous health benefits, and we are proud our parks are a health resource for the nation. These National Park Foundation grants will help all visitors experience our parks as places to recreate, inspire, reflect, and be active.”

Launched in March 2015, FindYour Park/Encuentra Tu Parque is a public awareness and education movement to inspire people from all backgrounds to connect with, celebrate, and support America’s national parks and community-based programs. Celebrating the National Park Service Centennial and setting the stage for the Service’s next 100 years, #FindYourPark, invites people to discover and share their own unique connections to our nation’s natural landscapes, vibrant culture, and rich history.

The National Park Foundation wishes to thank The Coca-Cola Company and The Coca-Cola Foundation for their generous support of the Active Trails program.

View Nooga.com article here.