GIS Updates
Interpretation and Design & Development
• OurConnectTrailstoParksproposalforCityofRocksNationalReserveinIdahowasselectedforFY17.Theprojectproposalincludesanewretracementtrail,afamilyfriendlyevent,andnewwaysides.
• WorkcontinuesontheLanderTrailFoundationinterpretivekioskattheFt.HallMuseumontheShoshone-BannockIndianReservation.Thedesignphaseiscompleteandthepanelswillbefabricatedsoon.
• ThreeApplegateTrailwaysideexhibitscoveringtheHillCemetery,theOregonDonationLandClaims,andtheApplegateTrailwillbeinstalledatEmigrantLakeCountyParknearAshland,Oregonthisfall.
• TheCityofIndependence,MissouripartneredwithNTIRtoproducefourADAaccessiblewaysideexhibitswithkid-friendlystoriesthatincludebrailletext.TheywillbeinstalledinMcCoyPark’snewplayground.LocalIndependencekidschosethethemeofwestwardexpansionalongtheSantaFe,Oregon,andCaliforniatrails.
• NTIRwillprovidetechnicalassistancetohelptheBurley,IdahoBLMfieldofficedevelopoutdoorexhibitsatMilnerHistoricRecreationAreainsoutheasternIdaho.
• WeareworkingwiththeBoise,IdahoBLMfieldofficeandtheOregon-CaliforniaTrailsAssociation(OCTA)toprovideaplanfortheCanyonCreekstationontheMainOregonTrailBackCountryByway.
• WearedevelopinginterpretiveexhibitsatCampGuernseywiththeWyomingMilitaryDepartmentandWyomingNationalGuard.
• AsuccessfulsignplanningworkshopwasheldattheCaltransofficeinMarysville,CaliforniainSeptember.TheNPSDenverServiceCenterwillbetheprimarypointofcontactforcompletingthesignplans.
• OCTANorthwestChaptermemberswithMalheurCounty’sroaddepartmentinstalledOregonNHTsignsonOregonBLMlandthissummer.
Wehaveupdatedmorethan70feasibilitystudymapsofthestudyrouteshere:http://parkplanning.nps.gov/FourTrails-Maps.Viewthemapsandstaytunedforthepubliccommentperiodtobeannounced.
Forstudyupdatesvisit:http://parkplanning.nps.gov/FourtrailFSoremail:[email protected].
Four Trails Feasibility Study Update
Workcontinuestoaddpicturestothewebsites’PlacesToGointeractivemaps.Ifyouhaveimagesyouwouldliketoshareforanyofthesitesfeaturedonthemaps,pleasecontactus:[email protected].
NTIRisworkingwitharecentUniversityofNewMexicograduate,participatingintheLatinoHeritageInternshipProgram,todevelopdynamic“storymap”applications.AstorymapprovidesaninnovativewaytotellthestoriesoftheOregonandCalifornianationalhistorictrails(NHT)inaweb-basedinteractivemapapplication.Pleasestaytunedforfutureupdatesonthesenewefforts.
Oregon and California National Historic TrailsProject Updates – Protection, Development, and Promotion
Boy scouts enjoy a hike at Alcove Spring Park in Kansas during a September 6th celebration event that included a performance by the Topeka Symphony Orchestra. Photo: Tom Parker
National Trails Intermountain Region NewsSeptember 2015
National Park ServiceUS Department of the Interior
National Trails Intermountain Region – Working with you to protect, develop, and promote national historic trails.
Project Highlights
National Trails Intermountain RegionThe National Park Service cares for the special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.
Comments? Contact:NationalTrailsIntermountainRegionBranchOffice324SouthStateStreet,Suite200SaltLakeCity,[email protected]
Cultural Resource News
NTIRprovidedtheBLMValeDistrict’sNationalHistoricOregonTrailInterpretiveCenterinBakerCity,Oregonwith$7,000tofundaseasonalarcheologytechnician.ValeDistrictarcheologistsdevelopedatrailmonitoringformandbeganusingittomonitorinterpretedandpubliclyaccessiblesegmentsoftheOregonNHT.TheyalsocreatedviewshedmodelsforthemajortrailsegmentsinthedistrictandworkedwithOCTAtoinstallnewsignsfortrailsitesinthesouthernpartofthedistrict.
AdditionaltaskstobeperformedincoordinationwithOCTAvolunteersincludesitecleanupandstabilizationononeormoretrailssites;documentingtrailrutsbetweenFarewellBendandHuntington,Oregon;andconductingpreparatoryworkforgeophysicaltestingtoidentifyOregonTrailtracethatisnotreadilyvisible.
Kansas City ProjectsInmid-August,aseriesofmeetingswereheldintheKansasCitymetroareatodiscussacomprehensiveplanfortheSantaFe,Oregon,andCalifornianationalhistorictrailsfromWayneCityLandinginSugarCreek,MissouritoGardnerJunctioninGardner,Kansas.ParticipantsincludedMid-AmericaRegionalCouncil,representativesofpublicworksandparksdepartmentsinMissouriandKansasmunicipalities,andmembersoftrailassociationsincludingtheSantaFeTrailAssociation,OCTAandtheKansasCityAreaHistoricTrailsAssociation.Theproposedprojectbuildsonmanyyearsofeffortbylocaltrailadvocatesfortheconstructionofretracementtrail,includingsuchmilestonesasthesoontobecompletedPowderMillBridge,whichprovidesasafepedestriancrossingofInterstate435specificallyforthenationalhistorictrails.Participantsexpressedhighenthusiasm,andwewillcontinuetodevelopoptionsthisfall.
Alcove Spring Park Active Trails GrantAlcoveSpringHistoricalTrust,NTIR,theOCTAKanzaChapter,andotherpartnerscompletedanewpedestrianbridge,publiceventsandtours,andothertrailandsiteimprovements.TheTopekaSymphonyOrchestraperformedattheparkonSeptember6,2015bringingtheartsandhistorytogetherforauniqueandsuccessfulpublicevent.
Archeology & Metal DetectingKansasStateHistoricalSociety,AlcoveSpringPreservationAssociation,andNTIRconductedarcheologicalandmetaldetectingsurveysatAlcoveSpringParkinMay.Volunteersfoundnumerousmetalartifacts,butonlyasmallnumbershowpotentialforassociationwiththetrailperiod.
National Trails Intermountain Region – Working with you to protect, develop, and promote national historic trails.
Site and access improvements were made at Alcove Spring Park, Kansas during July 2015.
The Topeka Symphony Orchestra performed at Alcove Spring Park, Kansas in September. Photo: Tom Parker
Staff News
ChiefofInterpretationCaroleWendlerhasledtheinterpretiveteamsinceMarch.ArcheologistJillJensenjoinedtheofficeinMay.InJune,MikeElliottreturnedtoNTIRtocoordinateplanningefforts,includingtheFourTrailsFeasibilityStudy.GISCoordinatorJohnCannellawaspromotedtoDeputySuperintendent/ProgramManager,andournewAdministrativeOfficerKellySheajoinedNTIRinAugust.
Farewell Bend State Park, Oregon
Urban Ranger Program
InSeptember,NTIRprovidedapresentationonnationalhistorictrailsthattravelthroughSaltLakeCity,UtahtoUrbanRangerinterns.Aspartoftheprogram,UniversityofUtahstudentswillpatroltrailsonmountainbikesandeducateusersaboutnaturalresourcestewardshipandprovideinformationonnationalhistorictrails.
100 Years in the MakingOnAugust25,2016,theNationalParkServiceturns100yearsold!Explorewhatparksmeantoyouandjointhe#FindYourParkmovementat:www.findyourpark.com.
Socialize with Us!WejustlaunchedthecombinedOregonandCaliforniaNHTsFacebookpage.Pleaselikeus&share!https://www.facebook.com/oregoncalifornianps
