Pennsylvania Field Office
Who We Are | Our Parks | Our Programs
Our Programs
Across the Commonwealth, our national parks showcase America’s history, cultural heritage and natural beauty. From Gettysburg National Military Park, to Valley Forge National Historical Park, to Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site, to Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, our national parks host not only an impressive array of plant and animal biodiversity, but hold many keys to our shared history.
National parks in Pennsylvania attract visitors from all over the world. More than nine million people visit national parks in Pennsylvania each year, generating almost $350 million in spending, and supporting more than 9,000 jobs.
The Problem: “They’re national parks … aren’t they protected?”
Our historical treasures and wildlife sanctuaries are under attack from incompatible development and chronic under-funding. Nationwide, the National Park Service operates with a $750-million annual funding shortfall. In addition, incompatible development proposed on private lands inside and adjacent to parks pose real problems. Valley Forge National Historical Park has narrowly escaped a number of proposals to inappropriately develop private land inside the park's boundary. Development pressures also threaten Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, one of the country’s most-visited national parks, where the clean waters of the Delaware River support outstanding animal and plant life.
NPCA's Recent Accomplishments in Pennsylvania
- Stopped a proposed casino within cannon range of Gettysburg.
- Halted two ill-considered developments inside Valley Forge, and successfully advocated for federal funding for the NPS to buy lands at risk from development.
- Advocated for increased park operations budgets, resulting in national parks across the Commonwealth adding seasonal rangers and full-time positions in 2008.
- Protected Independence Square from a proposed 12-foot-high security fence.
NPCA’s Goals in Pennsylvania
By empowering local citizens, community leaders, organizations and elected officials to implement innovative strategies and tactics that advance park advocacy, NPCA is building an active, effective constituency to protect and preserve our national parks in Pennsylvania, and to advocate on behalf of the national park system.
