Why Our National Parks And Their Future Matter To Latinos

It’s August 25th — a big day: we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service. From Rocky Mountain National Park to Mesa Verde National Park, there is no shortage of opportunities in Colorado to enjoy some of our greatest national treasures.

As a Latina and a parent, I see the positive impact our national parks and outdoor spaces can have on our community and families — and the importance of making sure these opportunities exist for the next century.

In Colorado, being outdoors is a family activity for the Latino community. On any given weekend or holiday morning, you can see lines of cars waiting to get into our parks to set up early for an entire day of food, games, and fun. We cherish the time we get to spend with our families outside and in nature. And we extend to our children the values of preserving and maintaining these lands for future use.

The most recent National Park Service-commissioned survey found that nine percent of all national park visitors identified as Hispanic. Though there is still much work to be done to ensure our parks and their accessibility reflects the diversity of the nation, Latinos comprise the largest percentage of visitors among minority groups surveyed. And this is likely to increase, considering that the Latino population is our country’s fastest-growing community.

Our nation, and the Latino community in particular, has a vested interest in ensuring that our parks remain protected, properly maintained, and accessible. Unfortunately, this is easier said than done. Nationally there is a deferred maintenance backlog of almost $12 billion in the Park System, and in Colorado our parks need more than $200 million in maintenance and infrastructure repairs.

When roads, bridges, trails, and campgrounds are inaccessible, it negatively affects everyone’s experience. For some families, the backlog may hinder the enjoyment of one of the only opportunities for quality time outside.

A couple of weeks ago, Generation Latino joined a group of Latino students and parents from Westwood Unidos and Latino Outdoors on a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park. For many, this was their first time to a national park. At the end of the ranger-led tour, the group was given permission to dip into Sprague Lake. Watching the children and parents play in the water and enjoy time together, I was reminded again of the inspiration and joy that comes with spending time in a place protected for us.

This year marks the National Park Service’s Centennial: 100 years of protecting some of the most important and beautiful natural and cultural sites in our country. But as we celebrate, we must also look forward. It is time for Congress to adequately fund our parks into the next 100 years — for our families and future generations

Written by Maria Handley, Executive Director, Generation Latino