How Stimulus Money Is Being Spent in U.S. Parks

Remember the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act? That piece of legislation Congress signed earlier this year to stimulate the country's economy? Well, that measure contained roughly $750 million for the National Park Service to spend on "shovel ready" projects that were just waiting for money. Well, the money has arrived and the work is under way. Most of the projects aren't sexy -- there are restrooms being built, parking lots paved, and signs posted -- but they are helping maintain the national parks.

Here's a glance at some of the work that's already been completed or is under way:

Acadia National Park
More than $8 million is being spent in the park to resurface roads and parking lots, repair culverts, remove unneeded buildings, and replace safety and informational signs.

"We are putting the people of Maine back to work improving key infrastructure at one of the state's most beautiful places and most popular tourist attractions," Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said late in July while touring Acadia. "This investment will not only help the residents of Maine find work during the current economic crisis, it help attract more visitors and ensure that those who do visit have a fuller, more enjoyable experience."

Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Nearly $9 million of the $64 million earmarked for the park was scheduled to be spent on projects by the end of August. Again, we're not talking sexy -- new restroom and road repairs are leading the way -- but it's the sort of work that visitors most definitely appreciate. Plus, trails are being improved and historic cemeteries within the park are getting some attention.

"The projects that can be accomplished using day-labor workers is funded at $1.2 million and is already under say," says Great Smoky's deputy superintendent, Kevin FitzGerald. "Work is ongoing to make improvements to ten different trails and over 60 historic cemeteries."

In the months ahead, park officials plan to repave the Cosby Campground parking area, reconfigure and repave the Sinks Parking Area, and paint or reroof nearly three dozen buildings in the park. So the work at the Cosby Campground can be completed before weather turns too cold later this fall, the campground will close the day after Labor Day so the paving can begin.

Yellowstone National Park
If you haven't been in Yellowstone in recent years, you might not fully appreciate the first major project that was funded with $1.2 million through the recovery and reinvestment act. But the smooth road surface that runs 11 miles between the Lewis River Bridge and the park's South Entrance is a nice improvement.

Another project no doubt unnoticed by even the most discerning visitors was the new, $37,000 steam line installed for heating historic structures at park headquarters at Mammoth Hot Springs.

All told across the National Park System there are nearly 800 projects that are being financed through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. True, the $750 million earmarked for this work pales in comparison to the roughly $8 billion-$9 billion maintenance backlog that confronts the National Park Service, but it's a step in the right direction.

Kurt Repanshek is the author of several national park guidebooks, including National Parks With Kids. You can get a daily dose of national park news, trivia, and commentary by visiting www.nationalparkstraveler.com. This site tracks "Commentary, News, and Life in America's Parks." Follow National Parks Traveler on Twitter at www.twitter.com/parkstraveler.

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