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Remembering the Civilian Conservation Corps on Labor Day

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As we enjoy the many natural wonders provided by our county, state & national parks across the country during this long Labor Day weekend, it may not be apparent that the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) contributed immensely to our experiences today. During the Great Depression, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed legislation creating the CCC. It was a tremendously popular program that put 3 million unemployed young men to work on public lands all over the nation. It included constructing 28,000 miles of trails, planting 3 billion trees, fighting soil erosion and building the infrastructure of the National Park service as well as 63,000 buildings. Many of their achievements are still visible and still used today because they were so well done. The program existed for nine years after its creation in 1933 and was discontinued after the economy improved. In Kansas, there were CCC projects conducted in 32 counties.

The CCC built this low-water bridge across Rock Creek in the late 30s. Boyle Park, Pulaski County, Little Rock, Arkansas

The CCC built this low-water bridge across Rock Creek in the late 30s. Boyle Park, Pulaski County, Little Rock, Arkansas. Photo by Eric Hunt.