Scranton, PA: Steamtown National Historic Site (NHS) welcomes visitors to kick off the season with National Park Week, April 20-28, 2019. “We’re On a Mission!" to celebrate the amazing stories of local, regional, and national railroading history shared at Steamtown NHS as part of our country’s remarkable network of 419 natural, cultural, and recreational sites found within the National Park system.
National Park Week begins with National Junior Ranger Day on Saturday, April 20. Kids of all ages are invited to “explore, learn, and protect" national parks by becoming official Junior Rangers. Steamtown NHS Junior Ranger programs are tailored for pre-schoolers to grandparents and everyone in between, making it a fun family activity. The park will debut a special, new Junior Ranger badge that will be available to earn on National Junior Ranger Day and throughout National Park Week. The badge will also be available at other select events throughout the year.
April 25 is “Throwback Thursday," a day where programs will highlight the development of railroading, the history of Steamtown NHS, plus visitors can learn about the park’s archives and museum collection, and explore other rail history themes. Sunday, April 28, is National Park Rx (prescription) Day, with community partners hosting information tables from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm to help people get outdoors and active this summer. Of special note, local Master Gardeners will provide tips on how to better enjoy your own back yard, while members of the Susquehanna Rovers Walking Club will be on hand to explain the new “go-at-your-own-pace" 5K and 10K walks that explore downtown Scranton. The self-guided walks begin and end at the Steamtown NHS Visitor Center and are available daily through Oct. 31, 2019.
National Park Week also kicks off the Steamtown NHS railroad passenger operating season, with Scranton Limited short train rides ($5/person ages 6 and older) available on Saturday and Sunday, April 20-21, and Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, April 26-28. The Baldwin Locomotive Works 0-6-0 steam locomotive, “Chugga," is eager to fire up and lead the way!
Located in downtown Scranton, Pa., Steamtown NHS is open daily from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily (reduced hours in winter). From I-81 follow exit 185 (Central Scranton Expressway); then follow the brown and white signs to the park entrance at Lackawanna Avenue and Cliff Street (GPS: N 41.41, W 75.67). General park information is available by phoning (570) 340-5204 during regular business hours, or by visiting the park website anytime.
www.nps.gov/stea
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 419 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at www.nps.gov, on Facebook www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice, Twitter www.twitter.com/natlparkservice, and YouTube www.youtube.com/nationalparkservice.
Tags: national park week throwback thursday park rx day national junior ranger day
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
