In honor of the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, I want to share part of the summer 2016 issue of our quarterly magazine, Semscope. Below you will find a little background on Southeast Michigan’s River Raisin National Battlefield Park. This historical site in Monroe might not be known to you, but it is yet another example of the many assets our region has to offer.
I hope you enjoy this glimpse into our region’s national park and take an opportunity to read the complete article about the vast outdoor resources Southeast Michigan has to offer. As we continue our work to provide assistance on park planning and help coordinate a unified regional parks and trails system, I also hope you will take every opportunity to get outside and enjoy our parks and trails.
National Park Service celebrates 100 Years in 2016
On August 25, 1916, the National Park Service (NPS) was created under President Woodrow Wilson, and included 35 existing parks, plus future parks, and areas of historic importance. Currently, that total is 411 areas, including 59 parks, and more than 84 million acres in all 50 states, plus Washington, D.C., and U.S. territories.
Today, the mission of NPS is to preserve the natural and cultural resources for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. Southeast Michigan residents are now experiencing this at the River Raisin National Battlefield Park in Monroe.
Southeast Michigan’s only national park: River Raisin National Battlefield Park
Ron Jones of the National Park Service calls River Raisin National Battlefield Park one of Southeast Michigan’s hidden gems. Located in Monroe, it is America’s newest national battlefield park, thanks to legislation introduced by former U.S. Congressman, John Dingell in 2009. President Obama signed the legislation on March 30, 2009, making it the 393rd unit of the National Parks Service, and the only battlefield park commemorating the War of 1812.
It was there that significant battles in the War of 1812 occurred over a four-day period in January 1813. These battles accounted for the largest loss of life in the war – 300-400 killed and approximately 560 wounded. It produced the rallying cry, “Remember the Raisin!” Because many of those killed were from the Kentucky militia, the site has permission to fly the state flag of Kentucky.
Ranger Jones says that the NPS Centennial celebration has helped raise the profile of the River Raisin National Battlefield Park. Classes of schoolchildren from the region have visited the park in great numbers this spring. New signage was unveiled in May and excavators have discovered the foundations of many building used during the war. There is hope that they will be rebuilt, add to the historical significance of the park.
Monroe Mayor Robert Clark proudly notes that it took “decades of community involvement and dedication” to get the national battlefield designation that occurred in 2009. “There is a commitment in the community to further expand the park,” he says. He also notes that while the park is still in its infancy it is attracting tourists and, as a result, Monroe is already seeing increased economic and community development opportunities. In 2015, Mayor Clark says that the park had 58,000 visitors, from 49 of 50 states and 16 countries.
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