Modernizing the National Park System

According to this video the visitation to National Parks has remained stagnant. It says the average visitor is the Baby Boomer generation, and that Millennials are not visiting the parks. In effort to boost visitation by the younger generation the Park Service is looking into WIFI and other Tech perks.

My question is this: Isn't the point of visiting our national wonders to enjoy nature? What kind of society are we if the minute we get to see an amazing natural site, we are more concerned about getting on the internet? That's just my two cents.

oversight.house.gov...

I agree. This has bad idea written all over it...SMH.

I thought it was bad when McDonald's gave free wifi so long ago. This is pretty pitiful. Having no phone service is the best part of nature,isn't it??

originally posted by: Schwallyjdog
I thought it was bad when McDonald's gave free wifi so long ago. This is pretty pitiful. Having no phone service is the best part of nature,isn't it??

Yes it is. I'm not anti-tech, it's just the fact that the Natural Wonders should speak for themselves. You should not have to offer technology just to attract people. I mean, does that mean we need to build a casino at the Grand Canyon?

a reply to: TheChrome

I think the Fed gov't owns TOO much US land... perhaps it's time for the next land rush?

Plenty of folks who would love to have that chance to get off the gov't teat and make it on their own...

Probably do a better job with it than those who run it now...

If they can't upload pictures to Facebook to instantly let everyone know how cool they are just by being at the Grand Canyon, they have no interest in going.

That and the fact that they're all hopelessly dependent on and addicted to technology for not only their survival, but for their very identities and self-worth.

Anyway. Good. Stay away from the parks, Millennials. More open space for the people who can find wholeness in nature.

Why Does U.N. Now Control U.S. Parks? (must see video)

Hmmm.

a reply to: TheChrome

what UTTER TWADDLE .

yup OP i agree wit you - visitors to the national paks need to adapt to the wilderness

not have the wilderness " updated " so they can still tweet about it every step of the way

I will have to admit that I enjoy a little netflix while getting ready to crash in the tent.

Having said that, I tend to avoid state parks anymore. The prices are too high and I feel like I'm over-paying for a site with weirdo neighbors in a wooded prison.
Constant monitoring by park rangers and ticket-writers sucks the enjoyment out of it. I don't do anything illegal, but am on edge constantly.

Is something out of place? Is my dog going to be shot? Are ze papers filled out right?

It is really too bad, more people should get out into the great outdoors.

I don't camp unless I can travel by backpacking or boating away from civilization and the forest tax man.

I'm smack dab in the middle of the millennial generation, as (incorrectly) stereotypically judged as you get. But this right here pisses me off beyond belief and sad. It's really, really sad. And it annoys me, but I've been trying lately to just let things slide off and just focus on me.

I will refuse to stay glued to my phone while vising a national park, if i get to visit one someday. I WILL take it out to snap some photographs (not a quick crappy "picture") Or hell, I could invest in a nice professional camera that takes some nice photographs. After all I am going to want SOME memories.

I've been to small parks near my own house that are nothing spectacular and I've admittedly pulled out my phone to use the GPS and see where I was only to find Google maps not loading because the cell service coverage was really bad, I breathed a sigh of relief as I felt so alone and disconnected and just absorbed everything around me. The sunlight through the trees, the breeze, the sounds of nature and the wind. What's the point in anything when you can't absorb every fine detail in life? I'm serious it helps you grow mentally and become such a better person.

a reply to: soekvg

That's the spirit... and allow yourself time... time to kick back, slow hikes to absorb nature...

Too many folks, and I was one, rush through and never get to feel what it's like to be just a speck in the wilderness...

It's humbling, comforting, and such an enjoyable experience I would encourage everyone to shed their digital life for a weekend... and reconnect with the planet that gives us life...

a reply to: soekvg

The National Park Service were the ones who mentioned Millennials. I pass no judgement to which generation a person is. The point is, there is for whatever reason a general lack of interest in nature by the younger generation. I'm an X'r and the same applies to them. I am glad you recognize our heritage, no offense intended.

a reply to: TheChrome

I didn't respond based on anyone on this thread dissing millennials, truth be told I didn't really read all the posts here, I was just making a point. Don't worry nothing in my post was directed towards anyone in the thread.

Sorry if it came off that way.

a reply to: TheChrome

If they they have parks with full mobile coverage and WiFi the young may come but i really do doubt they would see anything . Cos , you know , gotta check facebook every 10 seconds .

hi - as replies have focused on " millenials " an thier alledged aversion to the outdoors i have a ` check question ` :

how many eagle scouts recieved thier investiture in 2014 ? and how does that figure compare to 2004 , 1994 , 1984 , 1974 etc [ obviously the figures will need processing as ` eagle scouts // 1 million citizens - to factor in population growth ]

i ask - because if the forums i participate in are accurate guages - many outdoor activities in the US have a problem with a lack of certified BSA approved instructors // leaders - NOT a lack of willing participants

This is just me, but I thought I'd chime in a different opinion. I live on the East Coast and hike a well known path for exercise. I have favorite places I like to park and start and its for shade value. However, I know to the curve where I will lose reception, where it will come back and it matters to me because I like to hike while my kids are in school.

I have hiked and talked on the phone to my bestie most of it but, I prefer listening to music because talking on the phone requires turning around before I'd really want to.

a reply to: TheChrome

Take the car keys away at the entrances, every single piece of electronics...issue everyone, mom-dad-kids...a bike, horse, canoe, kayak and a hand held PAPER map....and visit like Lewis and Clark did.

No one stops, gets off the freeway and discovers heat and cold and uncomfortable but beautifully awesome and wondrous natural beauty. Like the girl today...DUMB...got GORED by a Bison because she thought its would be cool to take a "selfie" with the wild animal to Facebook-Twitter it. Nutz. Crazy.

Everything is a video game scenario. Nothing is real...everything should be "selfied "...get there quick and "Mom! Its too HOT out here! I want my PHONE"...in the canoe.

I say...Ok..."tech-up" for sure at the ranger station for emergencies...but leave the insides of what left of America alone. Teach folks to experience whats real nature...and not a screenshot.

We already can sit anywhere and watch an MP4 or video of a park without going in HD. Its sad...really, really sad.

originally posted by: TheChrome
According to this video the visitation to National Parks has remained stagnant. It says the average visitor is the Baby Boomer generation, and that Millennials are not visiting the parks. In effort to boost visitation by the younger generation the Park Service is looking into WIFI and other Tech perks.

My question is this: Isn't the point of visiting our national wonders to enjoy nature? What kind of society are we if the minute we get to see an amazing natural site, we are more concerned about getting on the internet? That's just my two cents.

oversight.house.gov...

Anyone that wants high tech needs to stay out of the parks. I could maybe see some wifi access, just for safety in areas you might not get cell coverage, so someone could use GPS on a cell phone more easily, but they need to not go overboard.

High tech aside, how about a better system for reporting missing persons?