Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park - Kennesaw State ...

Existing Conditions
22 I National Park Service
Use of Kennesaw Mountain NBP:
Most are families on traditional
summer vacations. Many are parents
with children (who like to earn Junior
Ranger badges). Almost all come into
the visitor center to see the exhibits
and movie (and many to get their NPS
passport book stamped).
Issues: This group is often overlooked
(or “lost in the crowd”) because of the
great numbers of visitors in the two
categories described above. However,
because most of these traditional NPS
visitors come to the visitor center fi rst,
they often ask staff for advice on visiting
the battlefi eld. Finding the park, and
then fi nding a parking space here, are
signifi cant challenges which are being
addressed by management. Wayfi nding
within the park is made diffi cult by the
lack of a traditional park road, requiring
a visitor to leave and re-enter the park
repeatedly. Poor signage on trails and
roads adds to wayfi nding frustration.
However, the fact that the park does not
have an entrance fee eliminates many
worries which would result from having
multiple park entrances. Encroachment
from modern noise detracts from a
contemplative experience, although
trains add to the interpretive story.
Education Groups (about 1% of total
visitors)
Characteristics: Students, youth
groups, and military staff from the
Atlanta Metropolitan area. Military
staff rides often involve visitors from
outside the Atlanta Metro area. GA 5 th
grade performance standards include
Civil War study. Home schoolers seek
supplemental items to take home.
Use of Kennesaw Mountain NBP:
Most education groups start at the
visitor center and see the exhibits and
fi lm. Almost all groups are assigned an
interpreter to provide a special program
or educational experience. Almost all
use buses to tour the battlefi eld and get
off bus at most stops.
Issues: Most are provided with an
experience based on their school’s
curriculum, or based on specifi c
requests that fi t each group’s age and
area of interest. Education groups
require the most staff time because of
pre-visit contact and materials, and to
present on-site programs.
Education groups require the most staff time because of pre-visit contact and materials, and
to present on-site programs.