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National Park Service Celebrates 100th Birthday

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The National Park Service is celebrating its 100th birthday today.

On August 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed an act that established the National Park Service as part of the the Department of the Interior.

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Throngs of people from all over the world come to visit New York City's Liberty Park to see the majestic Statue of Liberty every day, WCBS 880's Rich Lamb reported.

"I get to meet a lot of interesting people," Laura Brennan, lead park ranger at Castle Clinton National Monument, of Battery Park, said. "I get to meet people from all walks of life. It's a great job." 

On Thursday, Juselius Barcesa was among those lined up to see Lady Liberty.

"We are from Ecuador. It's our first time here. I think this is really awesome because the view right here is crystal clear," Barcesa said. "It's very awesome."

According to the National Park Service website, New York is home to 22 state parks other national historic sites that welcome more than 16 million visitors each year.

Other area national parks include Governor's Island, Ellis Island, Gateway National Recreation Area in Queens, Fire Island and Nassau County's Sagamore Hill -- an estate which once belonged to former president Theodore Roosevelt, a known conversationalist who established the United States Forest Services.

Fore more information on the National Park Service, click here.

 

 

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