National Parks: Promise and Challenge

Pictures the current state of the national park system, using location photography in the system's oldest and newest parks. Outlines the opposing forces of maximum public access and wilderness preservation which the National Park Service must reconcile. Describes recent controversial projects, such as limiting Colorado River recreational use and developing the Gateway National Recreational area, an urban park next to Kennedy International Airport. Concludes that if we do not resolve the park usage conflicts, we may "love our parks to death." Edited version of National Parks: Playground or Paradise., Pictures the current state of the national park system, using location photography in the system's oldest and newest parks. Outlines the opposing forces of maximum public access and wilderness preservation which the National Park Service must reconcile. Describes recent controversial projects, such as limiting Colorado River recreational use and developing the Gateway National Recreational area, an urban park next to Kennedy International Airport. Concludes that if we do not resolve the park usage conflicts, we may "love our parks to death." Edited version of National Parks: Playground or Paradise.