The Adirondack Park turned 133 years old this week! It was established in 1892 in response to rising concerns over water quality and deforestation. At 6.1 million acres, it’s the largest park in the contiguous United States. It’s also the largest National Historic Landmark in the country. The park contains 46 High Peaks, 2,800 lakes and ponds, 30,000 miles of rivers and streams, and around 200,000 acres of old-growth forest. About 52% of the land is privately owned, devoted to forestry, agriculture, and open space recreation. The other 48% is owned by the state as part of the Forest Preserve. Over 12.4 million visitors enjoy the Adirondack Park every year – that’s more than double the amount the Grand Canyon gets! The region is also home to the highest concentration of black bears in the state, with an estimated 4,000 of them. That’s 50-60% of the black bear population in the state. Learn more in the audio below.