National Park Service Visits Historical Sites In Delano, Keene

40 Acres Could Become National Park

Camila Bastidas – 23ABC North County Reporter

DELANO, Calif. — The National Park Service has been directed by Congress to conduct a special resource study of sites that are significant to the life of Cesar Chavez and the farm worker movement.

Officials are making eight stops at cities including San Jose, Yuma, Phoenix and Delano to meet with residents and hear about what they want to have done at the historic sites that played such an important role in the farm worker movement.

“It’s important that the events, the people and the narrative of the farm worker movement be preserved, and so many of these sites that are rich in history are right here in Kern County,” said Mark Grossman with the United Farm Workers.

The agency will evaluate a wide range of options that would help tell the story of the movement.

“We could consider some sort of national historic trail that might perhaps link together different historic sites so that the visitors could go from one to the other and learn different parts of the story. Another option would be some sort of technical assistant program where the National Park Service might help with education and interpretation program,” said Martha Crusius with National Park Service.

Supporters said making 40 Acres a National Park is long over due.

“Cesar has been gone now for 18 years. The movement he founded will mark its 50th anniversary next year. So, I think it’s time that his story be told,” said Grossman.

The next meetings will be held in Phoenix and Yuma.

The National Parks Service will have a final report for Congress at the end of the calendar year, but it could be months or years before Congress makes a final decision.

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KERO 23 (CA): National Park Service Visits Historical Sites In Delano, Keene — 40 Acres Could Become National Park

National Park Service Visits Historical Sites In Delano, Keene

40 Acres Could Become National Park