National park in Delaware a step closer to reality

Known as the First State, Delaware is the last state to have a national park, but that could change.

Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), who has been trying to establish a national park in Delaware for almost a decade, celebrated Thursday after the Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved his legislation to authorize the creation of a national park in the state.

“With today’s vote, we move our state another step closer toward the reality of a national park that preserves and teaches the lessons of our state’s heritage,” said Sen. Carper. “I cannot wait for the day when families all across this country and the world will plan their vacations around the Delaware National Park, to learn how the First State helped launch the most enduring experiment in democracy that the world has ever known – the United States of America.”

The First State National Historical Park Act of 2011 would create a park celebrating early American Dutch, Swedish and English Settlements located throughout Delaware, and Delaware’s role in the events leading up to the founding of our nation. The park will include sites and attractions in each of Delaware’s three counties.

“A national park will preserve and celebrate our state’s vibrant history, while boosting Delaware’s economy and creating jobs,” said the bill’s co-sponsor Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.). “Senator Carper and I will now work to get this bill a vote of the full Senate, and bring the First State National Historical Park one step closer to reality.”