The National Park System needs a change
By: Jacob Fox
Issue date: 1/25/10 Section: Opinion
In my opinion, one of America's greatest ideas was the establishment of the National Park system.
However, if Americans are going to be able to continue enjoying these amazing places, the park system must be revised. Because setting aside the most beautiful pieces of land was such a good idea, Americans have loved the land a little too much.
Our closest National Park, Carlsbad Caverns, is a good example of this. The park has been made accessible to every American that chooses to visit. Paved walkways and elevators have been added to the caves so that anyone can enjoy the park. Even a food court was built inside the cave. Millions of people visit Carlsbad Caverns every year. One of the reasons so many people visit Carlsbad is because of their high bat population.
If more people keep visiting the caves, this bat population will cease to live in Carlsbad. Out of these millions of people, many take pieces of the cave formations as souvenirs. People obviously visit the caves because they admire their natural beauty, but it is possible to love it too much.
If America's purpose for setting aside land was to preserve it, they are not achieving that goal. The U.S. needs to revise its National Park system to make it less accessible to the general public.
If these areas could only be reached by backpackers or spelunkers, the land would be treated with much more respect because these people have been given a privilege, not a right, to be there.
Also, if a person's hobby is being an outdoorsman he or she will have a greater knowledge of the land he is visiting. He or she would be able to leave little or no trace, and would enjoy it more than a large group of tourists would.
If the parks system was established to make America's land as accessible as possible to the general public, then they are doing a great job.
However, I think it is more important to preserve the beautiful tracks of land in our country for years to come. If we save the land for those visitors who will truly respect and enjoy it, places like Carlsbad Caverns will flourish for a very long time.
However, if Americans are going to be able to continue enjoying these amazing places, the park system must be revised. Because setting aside the most beautiful pieces of land was such a good idea, Americans have loved the land a little too much.
Our closest National Park, Carlsbad Caverns, is a good example of this. The park has been made accessible to every American that chooses to visit. Paved walkways and elevators have been added to the caves so that anyone can enjoy the park. Even a food court was built inside the cave. Millions of people visit Carlsbad Caverns every year. One of the reasons so many people visit Carlsbad is because of their high bat population.
If more people keep visiting the caves, this bat population will cease to live in Carlsbad. Out of these millions of people, many take pieces of the cave formations as souvenirs. People obviously visit the caves because they admire their natural beauty, but it is possible to love it too much.
If America's purpose for setting aside land was to preserve it, they are not achieving that goal. The U.S. needs to revise its National Park system to make it less accessible to the general public.
If these areas could only be reached by backpackers or spelunkers, the land would be treated with much more respect because these people have been given a privilege, not a right, to be there.
Also, if a person's hobby is being an outdoorsman he or she will have a greater knowledge of the land he is visiting. He or she would be able to leave little or no trace, and would enjoy it more than a large group of tourists would.
If the parks system was established to make America's land as accessible as possible to the general public, then they are doing a great job.
However, I think it is more important to preserve the beautiful tracks of land in our country for years to come. If we save the land for those visitors who will truly respect and enjoy it, places like Carlsbad Caverns will flourish for a very long time.