National Park Service Relevancy in the 21st Century: An Exploration of Racial Inclusion and the Urban Push

Authors

Claire E. Finn, Macalester CollegeFollow

Document Type

Honors Project - Open Access

Abstract

As the National Park Service (NPS) approaches its centennial in 2016, it grapples with relevancy as the U.S. racial demographic shifts from a majority white population to a majority people of color population. In this paper I explore the following questions: What is the NPS doing to create racially inclusive places? How do NPS goals of inclusion connect to its recent emphasis on urban parks and populations? Through an analysis of official park documents, expert interviews, and a comparative case study between two Minnesota NPS units (Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA) and Voyageurs National Park), I assess the significance of the urban focus in NPS relevancy and potential effectiveness of NPS efforts towards inclusion.

Recommended Citation

Finn, Claire E., "National Park Service Relevancy in the 21st Century: An Exploration of Racial Inclusion and the Urban Push" (2015). Geography Honors Projects. 44.
https://digitalcommons.macalester.edu/geography_honors/44