MANHATTAN PROJECT NATIONAL PARK

Current Character

The Manhattan Project National Historical Park is a unique creation, done as part of a national effort to recognize the history of the three communities (Oak Ridge, Los Alamos, Hanford) which were originally involved in the Manhattan Project. Significant factors in the creation of this National Park include: the inclusion of the entirety of the City of Oak Ridge in the Park delineation; the formal relationship established between the City and the National Park Service; the authority afforded to the NPS in allocating resources to the designated Park area; the ongoing partnership opportunities embodied due to the establishment of the Park; and the related NPS responsibilities within the region, including Big South Fork and the Obed areas.

Opportunities

While the park is not typical in being a singular urban destination or facility, the status associated with a national park creates the opportunities for identifying natural areas and recreational destinations within Oak Ridge that can merit inclusion as a component of the

Manhattan Project National Park. For example, the 50-foot designated natural buffer around the K-25 footprint will provide an integration opportunity for people who want to visit the National Park but also recreate. This area also has connectivity to the Black Oak Ridge Conservation Area. Additionally, the opportunity to program national park staff-led activities in Oak Ridge parks and venues opens up regional and national awareness and marketing for those destinations through their affiliation with the NPS.

Constraints

The available National Park Service resources are not unlimited. It will be important to expand relevant resources with local/regional public and volunteer personnel and financial support, and to identify specific shared responsibilities.