Commerce is not a primary theme or subject that is directly related to national and state parks, but there are several examples of how commerce and parks might intersect. Some examples include:
- National and state parks often have visitor centers and other facilities that sell souvenirs, books, and other items related to the park. This can provide a source of revenue for the park service and also allow visitors to take home a memento of their visit.
- Many national and state parks also have concessions, such as food and beverage vendors, lodging facilities, and outfitters that provide services to visitors. These concessions can provide jobs and economic benefits for the local communities and support the park service in providing visitor services.
- National and state parks are often major tourist destinations, which can provide significant economic benefits to the local communities through tourism-related businesses such as restaurants, hotels, and retail shops.
- National and state parks also have resources such as minerals, timber, and grazing lands that can be used for commercial purposes, under proper management and regulations. This can provide revenue for the park service and also support local economies through resource extraction and related industries.
- Some National and state parks also have historic sites such as mines, mills, and factories that were built to support commercial activities, those sites are now preserved as historical sites and can be visited by the public.
These are some examples of how commerce and national and state parks might intersect, but overall, commerce is not a primary theme or subject that is directly related to national and state parks. The primary goal of national and state parks is to preserve and protect the natural and cultural resources within their boundaries for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.
