Yosemite’s Plan for Sequoias Grove

Yosemite, CA — Yosemite National Park wants to hear your comments on its plans to change the Mariposa Grove Giant Sequoias. The Park has drafted an Environmental Impact Statement and wants visitor’s opinions. The preferred plan will get rid of a parking lot, tram ride, and gift shop. Park officials say the primary goal is to restore the giant sequoia habitat and improve the visitor experience.

Park Ranger Scott Gediman says, “The grove is one of the most visited parts of the park. Over the years, we’ve had a lot of impact from the visitors, not harm, but impacts from use. Also, we’ve looked at the natural environment for Sequoias, for example, they have shallow roots so having an asphalt parking lot over the roots is potentially harming the trees, the trams are real noisy so there’s just been a need for a long time to address the facilities in the Mariposa Grove.”

Gediman says a new transportation hub will be built near the south entrance to the park. It will include a parking lot and a shuttle to the grove. You can give your comments until May 7th by clicking here.

Click here for a copy of the plan and a complete description of the alternatives.