McCollum Helps Open New MNRRA Visitors' Center at Science Museum of Minnesota
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) kicked off the official celebration of the National Park Service's 100th anniversary Thursday morning by cutting the ribon on the new Minnesota National River and Recreation Area Visitors' Center at the Science Museum of Minnesota.
With Congresswoman McCollum's support, the MNRRA Visitors' Center project received a $150,000 National Park Service Centennial Challenge grant. The 21st century visitors' center is designed to reflect the National Park Service’s second century and serve as a gateway for residents and out-of-town visitors to connect with the Mississippi River beyond their visit to the Science Museum of Minnesota.
New exhibits encourage visitors to connect to the river through ranger-led bike, paddle and wildlife watching programs. A compelling new entry and new exhibits will draw more people in and provide them with a better educational experience and increase their awareness of the park, the National Park Service, and the Mississippi River. New exhibits range from fixed and tactile to the latest electronic media.
Representative McCollum's full remarks at the ceremony before the ribbon cutting are below:
I can think of no better place to be this morning on the 100th Anniversary of the National Park Service, because we stand in the gateway to the future – the next 100 years of our national parks.
The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area is a gateway park that allows millions of people to experience a national park in our own backyard. It’s a door into Minnesota’s 5 other national parks.It’s a portal to our more than 400 other amazing national park treasures throughout the U.S...
All within the dynamic heart of the Twin Cities with access to the country and the world through Union Depot and MSP International Airport.
MNRRA and this beautiful, revitalized visitors’ center at the Science Museum of Minnesota gives us a 21st Century interpretive center to discover, understand and appreciate our own national treasure right here.
This park may not look like Yellowstone or Yosemite, but if you’re interested in the exploring America’s greatest river, this park is THE place to begin your navigation – in Saint Paul, the proud “head of navigation” for commercial traffic on the mighty Mississippi.
I can tell you as a child growing up near the river in South Saint Paul, this river has come a long way!
Thanks to the vision and tireless dedication of Congressman Bruce Vento, Senator Dave Durenberger and so many citizen activists who worked to create this national park— the Mississippi is the cleanest, healthiest and most appreciated that it has been in my lifetime.
Our national park is a gateway park that depends on partnerships. Today we also celebrate our host, the Science Museum of Minnesota, new CEO Alison Brown and her tremendously dedicated staff. You truly get how important and special this is!
The Science Museum is itself a gateway – to science education and the natural wonders of the world. This partnership is a perfect fit!
There are so many other essential partners here today... Of course, Katie and the Mississippi Park Connection... You are the lifeblood of this national park. Many of you have given generous donations to make this visitors’ center project possible... THANK YOU. This park can’t function without you.
It’s safe to say that all of us are committed to the next 100 years of the National Park Service. We understand that our national parks are America’s best idea. And it’s an idea that MUST be shared with more people.
National Parks are our best example of our collective commitment to preserve and celebrate America’s natural wonders and cultural heritage. They help bring our nation together. They belong to all of us.
Our national parks are as diverse as America itself. Each one tells a different story about the unique natural and cultural resources of America.
For the next 100 years of the National Park Service, we must invest in parks of the future like MNRRA – urban national park gateways that connect ALL Americans to our shared lands, heritage and culture.
In Congress, I have the privilege of representing two of Minnesota’s five wonderful national parks, but also serving as the ranking member of the Interior Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, which funds the National Park Service and related environmental agencies. I love my parks both personally and professionally!
I have been working hard to support the President’s budget request for the National Park Service to make the investments necessary to preserve these special places for another century. As part of the Centennial Initiative, the President proposed $560 million to strengthen the foundation for visitor services and make essential infrastructure investments.It is wonderful that this program was leveraged to help boost this visitors’ center project.
The future is key and the Centennial Initiative prioritizes youth engagement and the budget increases support for the Every Kid in a Park program by $20 million. Unfortunately, this funding is uncertain in an increasingly uncertain year in Washington.
Our park of the future, and all national parks, depend on getting our next generation outside and into our parks.
Few parks do it as well as MNRRA through Urban Wilderness Canoe Adventures that gets thousands of local youth on the river every year. This initiative is a gateway to our parks for the future.
It’s up to all of us to keep up the pressure, keep up the momentum of the National Park Service Centennial Campaign, to invest in our National Parks, especially our gateways, to invest in our future, to keep America’s Best Idea alive and prospering.
Congratulations on the reopening of this state of the art visitors’ center! Congratulations on 100 years of the National Park Service! Here’s to the next century of our great National Parks!