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National Park Service Campground Development Guidelines

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National Park Service Campground Development Guidelines NATIONAL PARK SERVICE CAMPGROUND DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES External Review Draft – September 30, 2020 This page intentionally left blank. INTRODUCTION USING THE GUIDE The development guidelines included within this document are intended to promote a consistent approach to campground changes and improvements. Users include all National Park Service staff and private contractors including planners, designers, superintendents, maintenance staff, concessioners and partners. The information is designed to assist all sizes and scopes of projects related to campgrounds and consequently some of the information is general in nature while other information is more detailed. The document is broken up into sections to lead users through a common project sequence; however, the guide can be used at any point in a project or maintenance effort. Use the table of contents to quickly navigate to the desired section. Throughout the guide you will also find quick links to related sections to assist with navigation. DOCUMENT OBJECTIVE The National Park Service Second Century Campground Design Guidelines offer a consistent approach towards campground design and construction efforts across the service. “From its earliest days, the National Park Service has relied on shared standards to ensure that its services and facilities are appropriate, consistent, and of good quality.”1 Specifically, the guide provides users with information regarding planning, design, maintenance and operations. The inclusion of specific service processes will assist park managers, contractors and concessioners to make thoughtful design decisions that meet the needs of their campground, while complying with overall National Park Service requirements. The guidelines are intended for the National Park Service; however, other state and federal land management agencies may also find it useful and relevant. National Park Service facility improvements strive to find balance in resource protection and visitor enjoyment. These two principles can often conflict; however, with proper planning and consideration, a balanced approach can be developed—one that allows the National Park Service to maintain relevancy with its visitors by modernizing and adapting while minimizing or mitigating impacts to resources. Campgrounds within the National Park Service are diverse and reach from coast to coast in a number of different climates and contexts. They offer visitors many unique ways to stay overnight within the national park system. Just as each campground is unique, so is the approach to design and maintenance. The information within this document is intended to serve as a guide with the understanding that no one size fits all and each site will have its own unique requirements. As a government agency, the National Park Service is mandated to follow federal legal requirements. Legal requirements are identified as such throughout the guide. 1. https://www.nps.gov/policy/DOrders/DO_52C.pdf i To conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations. Organic Act (39 Stat. 535, 16 U.S.C. 1) Figure I-1 Joshua Tree National Park, Ryan Campground This guide is intended to reduce research requirements for common campground design elements and provide guidance that is pertinent to the National Park Service by compiling relevant and current information in one location. The guide includes considerations for current and future visitor needs and expectations. It also promotes inclusion of a diversity of user groups and recreation opportunities through universal design principles and goals. The goal of each park is that every user regardless of their ability and background is welcomed and included in a modern National Park Service campground. ii CONTENTS Chapter One: National Park Service Campground History ........................................................................ 1 Pre-1930s: Early Campgrounds ................................................................................................................... 1 1930s: Rustic Campgrounds ......................................................................................................................... 4 1950s – 1960s: Mission 66 and Campgrounds ........................................................................................... 6 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................................................... 8 Brief Timeline ............................................................................................................................................... 10 Chapter Two: Scoping, Compliance, and Design ........................................................................................ 13 Project Scoping Considerations ................................................................................................................ 13 Understanding the Visitor .......................................................................................................................... 13 Accessibility .............................................................................................................................................. 15 Inclusivity.................................................................................................................................................. 16 Investment and Management Tools ......................................................................................................... 16 Concessions .............................................................................................................................................. 17 Baseline Documentation – Cultural .......................................................................................................... 17 Site Analysis .................................................................................................................................................. 18 Design Considerations ................................................................................................................................ 19 Permitting ................................................................................................................................................. 20 Planning .................................................................................................................................................... 21 Pets in Campgrounds .................................................................................................................................. 21 Compliance Considerations ....................................................................................................................... 21 National Environmental Policy Act ...................................................................................................... 21 National Historic Preservation Act and Section 106 .......................................................................... 22 Wilderness ................................................................................................................................................ 23 Threatened and Endangered Species Act ............................................................................................ 23 Wetlands and Floodplains ...................................................................................................................... 24 Additional Compliance Resources ........................................................................................................ 24 Tribal Consultation Policy ..................................................................................................................... 25 Universal Design and Accessibility ....................................................................................................... 25 Other NPS Specific Issues ...................................................................................................................... 25 Design Process ............................................................................................................................................. 25 Site Development ......................................................................................................................................... 26 Defining Site Development .................................................................................................................... 26 Low-Impact Development ..................................................................................................................... 27 iii Restoration ............................................................................................................................................... 27 Chapter Three: Campground Design Guidelines........................................................................................ 29 Arriving at the Campground ...................................................................................................................... 29 Vehicular Arrival ...................................................................................................................................... 34 Alternate Arrival Considerations........................................................................................................... 35 Bus and Ride
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