Info 202 Fall 2011

by Monica Rosenberg

• It is an outstanding example of a particular type of resource. 
• It possesses exceptional value or quality in illustrating or interpreting the natural or cultural themes of our Nation's heritage. 
• It offers superlative opportunities for recreation, for public use and enjoyment, or for scientific study.
• It retains a high degree of integrity as a true, accurate, and relatively unspoiled example of the resource.

Per the legislation, every park is equal, just like classical categorization. Every park has the same parkiness as the next. But in reality, we all know that Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon's parkiness exceeds that of Minuteman Missile National Historic Site or Anacostia Park, at least in the eyes of the public.

The 393 National Park units are classified and names designated in the legislation that creates them. Because politicians name them, it's not just classification for descriptive purposes, but also for political ones. There are 14 standard names (http://www.nps.gov/legacy/nomenclature.html):

1. National Park 
2. National Monument 
3. National Preserve 
4. National Historic Site 
5. National Historical Park 
6. National Memorial 
7. National Battlefield 
8. National Cemetary 
9. National Recreation Area 
10. National Seashore 
11. National Lakeshore 
12. National River 
13. National Parkway 
14. National Trail 

There's also a large “other” category, including Rock Creek Park, the White House, Prince William Forest Park, Dupont Circle, Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens, etc.

Some of the names are simply descriptive. A National Lakeshore is obviously descriptively different than a National Seashore or a National Parkway. Some names have slightly implied meaning. A National Historic Site is used to name one particular building whereas a National Historical Park is used to name a group of historical buildings or sites. And some names have even less obvious meaning; there is no hunting in a National Park, but hunting is allowed in a National Preserve. 

In addition to describing the parks and uses, frequently the designations get political: hunters don't want their hunting zones turned into National Parks, but the tourism economy may want the NP designation and the prestige/tourism that goes with it.

Visitors sometimes confuse state parks or other parks as part of the NPS. Monument Valley is a national park of a different nation—the Navajo.

While it sounds fairly orderly, there are some illogical classifications—especially historically. Why is it the Lincoln Memorial, but the Washington Monument? In 1907, a law was signed giving the president the right to designate a monument without Congressional approval. Monuments could be designated on any government land, either for a natural wonder (like Great Sand Dunes National Monument, which later became a National Park) or a cultural site (like the Statue of Liberty). But when the Washington Monument was created in the early 19^thcentury, this Monument law didn't apply. It simply was the designation given.