Kids to Parks Day

Left to right: Patrol Officer Gonzales on 'Guinness' and Officer Sabate with 'Spirit'

The National Park Trust launched Kids to Parks Day to encourage families to engage and celebrate parks across the United States. To commemorate Kids to Parks Day various school groups visited national parks to engage and celebrate parks, learning, playing and enjoying the outdoors.

Designated as a national day of outdoor play Kids to Parks Day additionally supports First lady Michelle Obama’s ‘Let’s Move’ initiative, encouraging kids to become more physically active. On May 19, 2014 various school groups visiting Constitution Gardens in Washington, D.C. met with United States Park Police Horse Mounted Patrol Officer Gonzales on “Guinness” and Officer Sabate on “Spirit” and learned about horses and being police officers.



 

San Francisco Field Office Hosts National Fingerprint Your Child Event




USPP San Francisco Fild Office Participants Photo: ID Tech Ken Rawles

  On 05/17/2014 the United States Park Police (USPP) San Francisco Field Office with the assistance of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), and Life Touch hosted a National Fingerprint your Child Event (associated with the National Center Missing and Exploited Children) at the Sports Basement in the Presidio.

USPP officers were on hand to fingerprint children alongside representatives from surrounding federal law enforcement agencies to include the FBI, Homeland Security, Secret Service, Federal Protective Services, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs Police.

There were a total of 275 fingerprint kits created at the event for the participating children. This event was coordinated by USPP Detective Raquel Lopez-Milano. In addition, USPP HMP and K9 officers were available for public education.

Weekend Flood Closures for D.C. Area National Parks

National Park Service News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 16, 2014

Contact: Jenny Anzelmo-Sarles jenny_anzelmo-sarles@nps.gov

The National Park Service (NPS) is advising the public to be prepared for high water closures in parks throughout the Washington, D.C., area. National Weather Service (NWS) models are predicting water levels to rise and peak late Saturday or early Sunday. Road, facility and trail closures should be expected throughout the weekend.

Visitors should check park websites for the most current information, but are cautioned that these situations can evolve rapidly and information on specific closures may be delayed. Park visitors who venture out onto trails should expect muddy conditions and puddles.

Park Specific Closures and Contact Information

National Mall & Memorial Parks: Hains Point remains closed. Ohio Drive (along the Potomac River and next to the recreational fields is currently open) but may close if water levels rise as predicted. Ohio Drive (along the Washington Channel, near the East Potomac Park Tennis Center) remains closed. East Potomac Park Golf Course and Tennis Center will likely be closed until water levels recede. Some other low-lying areas of the National Mall, including a portion of Independence Avenue, may be closed if water levels rise as predicted. In anticipation, some permitted events including the BKB Foundation and Children’s Fund foot-races are canceled. www.nps.gov/nama

Rock Creek Park: Park visitors should expect downed trees and various debris along trails and roads. Rock Creek Parkway and Beach Drive may experience closures this weekend during periods of high water. www.nps.gov/rocr

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park: Several closures are in place and low-lying areas of the canal towpath may close if water levels rise as predicted. Current closures are: Capital Crescent Trail between Fletcher’s Boathouse and Water Street including the Foundry Branch Tunnel (due to sewage overflow), entrance road to Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center, Olmsted Overlook, Billy Goat Trail, 15 Mile Creek Campground, and the Appalachian Trail Bridge over the Potomac River. The following boat ramps are closed: Big Slackwater, Taylors Landing, Snyder Landing, Nolands Ferry, Monocacy, Edwards Ferry, Lander, Brunswick and Point of Rocks. www.nps.gov/choh

George Washington Memorial Parkway: Drivers may experience lane closures during periods of high water especially around Memorial Bridge. www.nps.gov/gwmp

Great Falls Park: In Maryland- the park is closed to vehicle access. In Virginia- visitors may experience some trail closures during periods of high water. If water levels rise more than predicted the park will close.

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park: The park has evacuated several offices and historic buildings along Shenandoah Street. Hikers should be prepared for the Appalachian Trail to be closed near Harpers Ferry and Lock 33 of the C&O Canal. www.nps.gov/hafe

Monocacy National Battlefield: The following are closed: Worthington Ford Trail, Middle Ford Ferry Trail and Gambrill Mill Trail and boardwalk. Visitors should also expect a closure of the Brook Hill trail. Other park trails are muddy. www.nps.gov/mono

San Francisco Field Office Celebrates Its 40 Year Anniversary




Photograph taken by Officer Jeff Floyd, USPP SFFO



On Tuesday, April 29, 2014, the United States Park Police, San Francisco Field Office held a promotion and awards ceremony and also celebrated its 40th anniversary. The ceremony was attended by Deputy Director Peggy O'Dell, PWR Regional Director Chris Lehnertz, acting USPP Chief Robert MacLean, USPP Major Jackie Burks, and GGNRA General Superintendent Frank Dean. A number of officers were recognized during the ceremony which was highlighted by Raquel Lopez-Milano's promotion to the rank of Detective and Officer Eric K. Cole receiving the USPP Medal of Honor as well as the USPP FOP Combat Medal.

The field office was established in 1974 at the request of the National Park Service to provide full time, full spectrum police services to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA), the San Francisco Maritime Historic Park (SAFR), and the Presidio of San Francisco. As a core component of the NPS, the USPP is intimate with the mission and goals of the NPS and has evolved as the urban law enforcement steward of the NPS.