The George Parks Highway Scenic Byway
The George Parks Highway Scenic Byway Corridor Partnership Plan Draft 1—10/17/2007 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Introduction 2. Background on Byways 3. Planning Process and Public Involvement 4. Intrinsic Quality Assessment and Management 5. Transportation and Safety 6. Tourism and Marketing 7. Interpretation 8. Vision, Goals, and Strategies 9. Conclusion Appendix A: Acknowledgements Appendix B: Public Involvement Plan Appendix C: Related Studies and References George Parks Highway Scenic Byway Corridor Partnership Plan 1. INTRODUCTION The Parks Highway The George Parks Highway, usually simply called the Parks Highway, runs 323 miles from the Glenn Highway in the Matanuska Valley to Fairbanks in the Alaska Interior. Completed in 1971, the Parks Highway is one of the most important roads in Alaska. Linking the state’s two largest cities—Anchorage and Fairbanks—with spectacular natural surroundings and unparalleled recreation opportunities, this highway winds through the kind of scenery that typifies the Alaskan Interior: the continent’s highest peaks and largest glaciers, alpine tundra, taiga forests, wild rivers, and vast expanses inhabited only by wildlife. It is a common misconception that the name "Parks Highway" comes from the route's proximity to parklands. In fact, it is in honor of George Alexander Parks, governor of the Territory of Alaska from 1925 to 1933. However, the aptness of the name was recognized when it was chosen. The Parks Highway penetrates the wilderness of Interior Alaska, providing access to the region’s two largest protected areas: Denali National Park and Preserve and Denali State Park. At these two parks, travelers can indulge in myriad recreation activities during all seasons.
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