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:Michael_Elliott@nps.gov.

Four Trails Feasibility Study Update

Workcontinuestoaddpicturestothewebsites’PlacesToGointeractivemaps.Ifyouhaveimagesyouwouldliketoshareforanyofthesitesfeaturedonthemaps,pleasecontactus:ntir_rim_team@nps.gov.

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,UT84111ntsl_interpretation@nps.gov

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