This past week was National Parks Week with free admission to any of Washington state’s 14 national parks and this year is the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service. It has been said that the parks are America’s best idea — who can disagree when you see Mount Rainier or you are hiking through the rain forest at Olympic National Park or enjoying Lake Roosevelt?

As we enjoy these wonders, Congress needs to step up and better fund our national parks. Nationally, there is an $11.9 billion maintenance repair backlog at our parks; in Washington state the backlog is $510 million. The parks are America’s best idea. They are also our future.

Colette Dow

Issaquah