McCollum Cuts Ribbon on St. Croix Boom Site Sign
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) joined federal, state and local officials Thursday afternoon to cut the ribbon on a new sign at the Boom Site on the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. The ribbon cutting coincided with the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, which is being celebrated with events across the country on Thursday.
The St. Croix Boom Site, located near downtown Stillwater, is considered one of the earliest and most important major log storage and handling areas in Minnesota. Given its historic association with the lumber industry — including handling and sorting more than 15.5 billion feet of logs — the site was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1966.
As part of a public-private partnership, federal money was used to help restore the roadside recreation area at the Boom Site. The part of the project dedicated today is a National Park Service sign that officially welcomes visitors to the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.
Representative McCollum's full remarks at the ceremony before the ribbon cutting are below:
This is an exciting day for the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. It is wonderful to have a beautiful sign worthy of this state and national treasure!
And what better day to unveil this sign than on the 100th birthday of our National Park Service!
Here in Minnesota, it’s not just our kids that are “above average.” Of course that goes for our parks as well. Congratulations on celebrating 125 years of Minnesota State Parks!
Our parks tell truly special stories like those of the Boom Site. Here we have a fascinating window into our state and national history. The many tons of virgin timber harvested from this valley and handled at this site literally helped build our young and rapidly growing nation. This site helped to establish the economic foundation of our state.
Earlier this morning I joined a celebration at another one of our incredible national parks – the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.
How many major metropolitan areas have a national park in their front yard and another in their back yard?
These two national parks are the gateway to the future –the next 100 years of our national parks,because they allow easy access for millions of people to experience a national park.
They’re a door into Minnesota’s 5 other national parks.They’re a portal to our more than 400 other amazing national park treasures throughout the U.S... from historical landmarks to lakeshores to scenic trails and rivers.
Minnesota’s gateway national parks depend on partnerships. We wouldn’t be here today without the Minnesota DNR, Washington County, Friends of the Boom Site and the Saint Croix River Association and so many other essential partners.You are the lifeblood of this national park. THANK 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.
How many of our neighbors don’t even know they live by a national park? We need to do a better job of tooting our own horn. This sign will help, but we know we have more work to do. Our parks need investment. 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 our parks – especially our parks of the future like St. Croix National Scenic Riverway– gateway national parks near urban areas 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.
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.
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 — and to invest in our future, to keep America’s Best Idea alive and prospering.
Congratulations on this beautiful new sign! Congratulations on 100 years of the National Park Service and 125 years of Minnesota parks!