John, You’ve heard of Zion. You’ve hiked the Appalachian Trail. You’ve seen the red rock beauty of Bears Ears.
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But have you heard of Springdale, Harpers Ferry, or Bluff? |
These small towns sit just beyond the trailheads and park signs. They welcome millions of visitors each year. They fuel local economies, support conservation, and quietly blaze the trails to some of the country’s most iconic public lands.
They’re called gateway communities—and when public lands are underfunded, stripped of protections, or privatized, these places that make adventures possible are the first to suffer.
In Ohio’s Cuyahoga Valley National Park, where TPL has protected over 2,300 acres, towns like Peninsula thrive thanks to their location near the park. Local shops, restaurants, and outfitters depend on the steady stream of visitors who come to hike, bike, and explore each year. |
We want to hear from you. Should we do more to protect the places—and the people—that serve as the gateways to our favorite parks and trails? |
🏕️ YES: Parks are stronger with gateway communities.
🌤️ MAYBE: It depends on the park—and the town.
⛰️ NO: The two aren’t connected. |
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Now that you’ve shared your vote, explore this new story that takes you on a journey from coast to coast, introducing the locals behind the landmarks.
Gateway towns may not get the headlines, but they carry the heaviest packs. And they’re at risk whenever public lands lose funding, protections, or public access.
Thanks for standing with the people and towns behind the parks,
Your friends at Trust for Public Land |
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