Great American Outdoors Act National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund Newsroom

In November, Colonial National Historical Park will move into a second phase of repairs to the historic Colonial Parkway. Made possible with approximately $123 million in funding from the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) Legacy Restoration Fund, the full project is expected to be completed by June 2026.

Recently, Fort Larned National Historic Site reduced the park’s deferred maintenance backlog using funding available to National Park Service units through the Great American Outdoor Act (GAOA) Legacy Restoration Fund. These funds supported the replacement of aging roof surfaces, tuck pointing of historic stone masonry, window and door repairs, and the painting of wood features.

Recognizing both the opportunities presented by GAOA and the critical skills gap in the trades, the Park Planning, Facilities, and Lands (PPFL) Historic Preservation Training Center (HPTC) developed a specialized Individual Placement (IP) program, a shining example of innovative workforce development. This program showcases how GAOA funding can effectively support smaller to medium-sized parks and communities.

Thanks to funding from the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) Legacy Restoration Fund, construction work on significant improvements to the Chisos Basin area of the park is expected to begin May 1, 2025 and continue for approximately two years.

The National Park Service (NPS) is set to restore scenic vistas along the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Supported by the Great American Outdoors Act, the project will rehabilitate 15 historic views between North Donaldson Overlook and Spout Run Parkway, allowing visitors to enjoy the iconic scenery of the route once again.

The historic Wick House Barn in Morristown National Historical Park is undergoing critical preservation work funded by the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) Legacy Restoration Fund. This project is halting the barn's deterioration and enhancing its overall condition, ensuring its preservation for the enjoyment of visitors.

The McGregor District of Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge will be home to a new headquarters and maintenance facility at the Luster Heights Unit. This project addresses both deferred maintenance needs for the refuge and visitor access to public lands and waters. Funding for this $10,629,000 project has been provided by the Great American Outdoors Act and we expect to complete the work by 2026.

The southern portion of Old Mine Road, between Worthington State Forest and Millbrook Village, on the New Jersey side of Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is set to re-open on September 20 after receiving a major upgrade with funding from the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA).

Deep beneath the desert, Carlsbad Caverns National Park holds not only a world of natural wonder, but it has also brought to the surface a new successful preservation model. With funding by the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF), history above ground received some much-needed care.

Secretary Haaland and Assistant Secretary Estenoz toured restoration projects on the Blue Ridge Parkway funded by the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), including Doughton Park and Laurel Fork Bridge. To address long-overdue maintenance and infrastructure needs, the Blue Ridge Parkway has received $253 million total from GAOA’s Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF), helping improve visitor experience and public safety.