Palo Alto Battlefield: History Stands Tall, Thanks to the Great American Outdoors Act

The winds of change have swept across Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park, and the landscape is looking healthier and safer than ever before! This hallowed ground, where the opening major battle of the U.S.-Mexican War unfolded, recently received critical care through a vegetation management and hazard tree removal project. This project, made possible by the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) Legacy Restoration Fund, ensures that this important piece of American heritage remains protected and accessible for all who wish to experience it.

Team members clear a forest path from overgrown vegetation.

NPS

Highly skilled tree workers from Rocky Mountain National Park, part of a GAOA Maintenance Action Team (MAT), traveled to Palo Alto Battlefield to carry out this specialized work. The MATs are composed of NPS staff trained in specialized maintenance and preservation work. They travel to national parks to perform small, but critical, maintenance, rehabilitation, and repair projects, bringing their expertise to sites like Palo Alto Battlefield. These experts tackled the challenge of mitigating potential hazards along the park's trails and entrance drive. They removed dead and hazardous trees that threatened visitor safety, pruned overgrown vegetation that encroached upon trails, and carefully mitigated overhead hazards.

Thanks to GAOA funding, we've been able to address critical maintenance needs and safeguard the very landscape where American history was forged. This project not only protects our visitors but also enhances their experience, allowing them to connect more deeply with this significant chapter of our nation's past.

—Terae Cifuentes, Superintendent of Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park.

Park staff receiving classroom training.

NPS

The benefits of this project extend beyond the landscape itself. The MAT team also shared their expertise by conducting a National Chainsaw Safety Program (NCSP) training for the park's facilities staff. This empowers park staff to safely and effectively maintain the park's landscape, increasing their capacity and reducing the need for external contractors in the future.

"The NCSP training is an investment in our team and our future," added Superintendent Terae Cifuentes. "It provides them with the skills and knowledge to uphold the highest safety standards as they care for this historic site."

This project exemplifies the National Park Service's dedication to preserving our nation's treasures and ensuring that they are both safe and inspiring for all who visit. By using the expertise of a MAT team, the park was able to maximize the impact of GAOA funding, demonstrating how these specialized teams efficiently address critical needs in parks across the country. Palo Alto Battlefield stands ready to continue sharing its stories of courage and sacrifice, thanks to this vital project.