The Great Depression was a severe economic downturn that began in 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s. It had a significant impact on the national and state park systems. The National Park Service (NPS) and state park agencies were faced with a decrease in funding and a decrease in visitors during this time.
As part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal program, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was created in 1933 to provide employment for young men during the Great Depression. The CCC was responsible for building many of the infrastructure and facilities in national and state parks, including trails, roads, bridges, campgrounds, and visitor centers. This program greatly improved the park systems and provided employment for many people during the Great Depression.
In addition, the National Park Service established the Historic American Buildings Survey in 1933, which aimed to document historic buildings and structures across the country, many of which were located in national and state parks. This program helped to preserve the historical and cultural resources within the parks.
Despite the challenges that the Great Depression presented, the national and state park systems were able to improve and expand due to the New Deal programs. The expansion of infrastructure and facilities in the parks helped to attract more visitors, and the programs helped to provide employment during a time of economic hardship.