![]() ![]() ![]() The title national memorial is most often used for areas that are primarily commemorative. The first designation – national memorial – was the Gateway Arch’s original title: Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. The next smallest National Park – Hot Springs – is 64 times larger than Gateway Arch.Ĭonveniently, there are two other National Park Service unit types whose definitions fit the Gateway Arch. At 0.14 square miles, the park is absolutely tiny. Does Gateway Arch encompass large land or water areas? Again, NOPE.The park contains no natural resources, and there is little variety in the few resources it does contain. Does Gateway Arch contain a variety of resources? NOPE.As of 2022, it is the only national park that doesn’t fit the definition. The short answer to that question? No, Gateway Arch does not match the definition of a national park. Can you guess which one doesn’t? Does Gateway Arch Fit the “National Park” Definition? National Park ServiceĦ2 of the 63 national parks fit the above definition. Generally, a national park contains a variety of resources and encompasses large land or water areas to help provide adequate protection of the resources. Yosemite, Yellowstone, Zion, Acadia, Everglades, Olympic, and Big Bend are all fine examples of national parks. National parks – of which there are 63 – are the flagship unit of the NPS. My beef with the park lies entirely in its new name. Despite my ramblings in this post, I honestly really like the Arch. Simply put: I’m a regular at the Gateway Arch. Louis in 2018 Photos with the Arch over the years Maria & me with the Arch in 2017 My older sister Celine & me in St. It was still maintained by the National Park Service, but didn’t earn the “national park” title until 2018. Back then, the Arch was called the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. I visited the Arch with family, on school field trips, and with friends visiting the city for the first time. I traveled to the top of the Arch in its famous cramped elevators at least a dozen times, visited the museum below it often, and took countless photos of the structure from the ground. The structure fascinated me in my younger years. Louis before 2007 – I frequented the Gateway Arch. From 2007 until 2016 – and even during visits to my dad’s family in St. While I’ve spent my most recent years living in Indiana, I was raised primarily in St. ![]() Plan your trip to Gateway Arch National Park First, Some Background… Why – oh why – is Gateway Arch a national park? Since starting my journey to the national parks in 2018, I’ve constantly asked myself the same question. While the monument is undoubtedly impressive, its existence has perturbed me for many years. Maria posing for a photo with the Gateway Arch in 2022 ![]()
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