The National Park Service, in collaboration with the National Park Foundation and Friends of Minidoka, held a special event on Sept. 26 to celebrate upcoming restoration and[...]

Contact: Jennifer Jones, 208-340-7188

JEROME, Idaho - The National Park Service, in collaboration with the National Park Foundation and Friends of Minidoka, held a special event on Sept. 26 to celebrate upcoming restoration and construction projects at three national parks in southern Idaho.

The event featured remarks from NPS leadership and partners, a ceremonial groundbreaking, and a preview of the Minidoka National Historic Site restoration projects. Funding comes from the Great American Outdoors Act's Legacy Restoration Fund, which addresses high-priority maintenance needs across the National Park System.

Four major projects will move forward at the Minidoka National Historic Site, Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, and Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument:

• Protecting History at Minidoka: A multi-year restoration will preserve the historic Block 22 Barracks, Mess Hall, and Root Cellar buildings. These improvements will allow visitors to step inside history, helping them better understand the lived experiences of Japanese Americans incarcerated at the Minidoka Relocation Center during World War II.
• Building for the Future at Minidoka: A new maintenance facility will be constructed to house a carpentry shop, equipment repair bays, offices, and park staff workspaces. This modern building will streamline operations and ensure employees have the tools they need to maintain facilities and better serve visitors and partners.
• Preserving a Mission 66 Legacy at Craters of the Moon: The historic Mission 66 utility building will undergo adaptive rehabilitation. The project will restore a key feature to the park's Historic District while improving park operations.
• Safeguarding Fossils at Hagerman: A new fire suppression system will be installed in the Paleontology Laboratory Building. This investment will enhance staff safety and protect the priceless, globally significant paleontological resources housed in the building.

"These projects will significantly enhance the visitor experience, not only through visible improvements like expanded programming, education, and interpretation, but also by investing in critical behind-the-scenes work that keeps park facilities safe and functional," said Wade Vagias, superintendent of the south Idaho parks. "We are deeply grateful that these high-priority infrastructure projects were selected for Great American Outdoors Act funding, as they might otherwise have remained out-of-reach."

The NPS recently awarded construction contracts for the maintenance facility, the historic "Mission 66" utility building, and installation of the fire suppression system. Work is expected to start this fall.

A skilled team from the NPS Historic Preservation Training Center (HPTC) will perform the restoration work on the Block 22 Barracks, Mess Hall, and Root Cellar at the Minidoka National Historic Site. Through the Great American Outdoors Act, HPTC has formed multiple geographically based teams composed of trades specialists to complete historic restoration and preservation projects efficiently across the country. This cadre of experienced craftspeople, including masons and carpenters, enables the NPS to complete projects that require knowledge and competency in traditional trades in a consistent and cost-effective manner. The project will restore the buildings to historically accurate conditions and enable greater visitor access. Due to health and safety hazards, visitors can only currently view the exterior of these buildings unless they are participating in a park ranger-led tour. It is expected that work will take place next summer.

Enacted in 2020, the Great American Outdoors Act Legacy Restoration Fund is part of a concerted effort to address extensive maintenance and repair needs in national parks. Supported by revenue from energy development, it provides the National Park Service with up to $1.3 billion annually for five years to make significant enhancements to ensure the preservation of national parks and provide current and future visitors with opportunities for recreation, education, and enjoyment.