Are national parks an important part of society?

My namesake is a six million acre park in Northern NY. Guess which side I’m going to be on this issue?

I’m not sure that the word “national” is all that important.

Parks and parkland in general is good for society. But the ownership (national versus regional versus state versus local) is not, to me, the essential factor.

In fact, one could argue that national park makes the area subject to national politics and whims (Can you image Ted Cruz being in favor of purchasing and maintaining the Grand Canyon?), while more localized park creation puts the control in the hands of local politicians who are more likely to listen to their constituents.

Yes, they are important. Yes, they should be more political concern.
Nobody should ever be allowed to strip them for any reason.

The resources of national parks should be outside of the reach of corporations and individuals who just want to make profit. National parks should be untouched, except for facilities for the use of park visitors, such as lodges, campgrounds, ramps, visitors’ centers, restrooms, etc.

Parks are definitely important to me for the preservation of flora and fauna. I will gladly pay the taxes and visitor fare (usually the cost of parking for admission at larger parks) to keep these spaces properly sustained. Green is important to me and though I am not as environmentally and ecologically conscious as I should be, that is one aspect about my lifestyle that I definitely aim to change in the near future.

Are you serious? Ha, what? Do you think nature is not important at all and we should be able to destroy it at the snap of a finger just to fulfill our own outrageous selfish wants/needs aka MONEY? YES, THEY ARE IMPORTANT!!!!!!!!!!!! They are more important than our stupid government, they are more important than rich, greedy corporations. They are our roots, everyone should be in defense of national parks, state parks, city parks, ANY PARKS! We are getting away from our natural roots, which is why we are all so fucked up and think oil is more important than nature!

Yes. Wilderness is important to humanity. As Thoreau said, “In wilderness is the preservation of the world.” And the Parks are part of our National Heritage.

This issue was settled a hundred years ago.

Yes, they are an important natural resource as well as an important source of revenue.

Absolutely. One of the better investments we, as a society, make.

Very important. They help realize how fragile the earth can be. People who worship nature in national parks don’t litter and they learn how to use earth’s resources sparingly.

I just read an interview in the NY Times, and the lady being interviewed stated that in her opinion, public parks and public libraries are the great equalizer between the rich and the poor. Think about it: it makes sense.