National Trails Day Celebrated at Grand Canyon National Park

May 22, 2002 (NPS): The Grand Canyon National Park Foundation and National Park Service will host a special event at Grand Canyon National Park on Saturday, June 1, as part of the "National Trails Day" celebration. The event is open to the public and will begin at 11:00 a.m. at the Yavapai Point Amphitheater, approximately one-half mile east of park headquarters located on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Visitors are encouraged to ride the park's free shuttle bus to the event site. Parking is available throughout the park, with shuttle bus pickup in or near all parking lots.

The event celebrates the opening of the first four miles of the Grand Canyon Greenway (Greenway) trail system, a key component of the park's planned multi-modal transit system designed to improve the visitor's experience by offering a wider range of transit options into and around the park than are currently available. As planned, the Greenway will total 73 miles of scenic biking and hiking trails on both rims of the Grand Canyon. Using the Greenway, visitors will be offered a range of options from a short walk to the canyon rim to a daylong outing. Paved portions of the Greenway system will constitute the longest wheelchair accessible trail in the National Park System.

The Grand Canyon National Park Foundation is a not-for-profit organization which works to preserve, protect, and enhance the Grand Canyon National Park by promoting citizen stewardship through philanthropy, volunteerism, and advocacy. Over the past five years, the Foundation has raised nearly $7,000,000 to fund specific projects and programs that are beyond the financial capacity of the National Park Service. "The event on June 1 is an opportunity to recognize the various partners who have helped make the Greenway a reality," said Deborah Tuck, President of the Grand Canyon National Park Foundation. "Significant contributions from the public and private sector include: $1 million grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, more than $1 million in combined funding from the Arizona Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration, grants from American Airlines, the Haiman Foundation, and the Dr. Scholl Foundation, and a large number of individual contributions. The completion of the Greenway will allow visitors a wide range of choices in how to see the Grand Canyon. These initial phases are a great example of the increased access and recreation opportunities that citizen stewardship is making possible at the Park." Tuck added.

Keynote speakers for the public event include Donald Murphy, Deputy Director of the National Park Service, Victor Mendez, Director of the Arizona Department of Transportation, and Joseph Alston, Superintendent of Grand Canyon National Park, all of whom will celebrate the Greenway as one of the park's most significant achievements in decades. "The Grand Canyon Greenway serves as a visionary model for all national parks in America, setting a new standard for resource protection, visitor use, and stewardship," stated Superintendent Alston. Adding, "the Greenway increases the visitor's opportunity to experience the Grand Canyon on a natural level."

The event will culminate with a special performance by the Grand Canyon High School Band and a one-half mile walk along the newly completed Greenway from Yavapai Point to Mather Point. For more information about the event, contact the Grand Canyon National Park Foundation at 928-774-1760. Additional information on the Greenway can be found on the park's website at www.nps.gov/grca/greenway.

Fire Restrictions To Begin At Grand Canyon National Park

May 15, 2002 (NPS): Unprecedented drought and EXTREME FIRE DANGER conditions exist throughout Grand Canyon National Park. Drought conditions increase the severity potential of both human and lightning-caused fires.

To ensure public safety and provide the highest degree of protection to park resources, the following restrictions will be implemented beginning at 8:00 AM on May 18, 2002, under the authority of 36 CFR 1.5 (a) (1). These restrictions will be effective until the threat of wildland fire decreases significantly, which usually occurs at the onset of summer monsoons, typically in mid-July.

Campfires

• Campfires, charcoal fires, candles and other open flames are prohibited
• Camp stoves and gas grills are permitted in designated campsites, picnic areas, administrative areas, residential areas and the inner-canyon
• Gas grills and fire pans are permitted along the river

Smoking

• Smoking is prohibited in all backcountry areas
• Smoking is permitted in buildings or directly adjacent to buildings, provided an ashtray is used
• Smoking is permitted in vehicles, provided an ashtray is used

Fireworks

• Fireworks are prohibited on Federal lands at all times

Parking

• Off-road parking is prohibited

Roads and Trails

• All roads and backcountry trails will remain open

Grand Canyon National Park remains open. Campgrounds, hotels and restaurants remain open. If you have questions about backcountry travel, please call the Backcountry Office at 928-638-7875, Monday - Friday, 1:00-5:00 PM. If you have questions about the restrictions, please call 928-638-7819 (recorded message).

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