© Andrew Stawarz via Flickr

Get your thinking cap on. The Cuyahoga Valley National Park is offering to lease 35 acres to the aspiring farmer with the best idea for using the land.

The program has been around for a decade and is run by the private, nonprofit Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy who screens the applicants. Those interested must provide plans for the farm and for marketing the produce. The winner will join yeomen farmers who already work at 11 other rented plots.

The plot being offered is called the Edgar Farm and comes with a two-story farmhouse, built in 1909 and refurbished by the park. Completed proposals should be sent to Cuyahoga Valley National Park, 15610 Vaughn Road, Brecksville, OH 44141 by January 15, 2010. The winner will be picked in the spring and should take over the farm by summer.

To learn more contact the Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy at 330-657-2542 or via email.

© Evil Erin via Flickr

The tenth season of Biscayne National Park's Family Fun Fest is kicking off one month earlier than the previous nine years.

Family Fun Fest will begin on Sunday, December 13, 2009 at the park's Dante Fascell Visitor Center. The event is free and takes place from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the second Sunday of every month from December through April. Each month, participants receive a passport which they get punched as they complete each of five activities located on the grounds. Activities include games, science experiments, presentations, and craft projects.

Five exciting and innovative new themes have been selected for the 2009-2010 season:

• Our Changing World - December 13, 2009

• America's Best Idea - January 10, 2010

• BioBlitz: For the Love of Diversity - February 14, 2010

• Liter-a-Sea: Oceans of Knowledge - March 14, 2010

• The Best Family Fun Fest EVER!! - April 11, 2010

Call 305-230-7275, extension 0 for more information.

© sachindaluja via Flickr

The freshwater wetlands and black spruce swamps - once part of the largest pieces of private property within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area - have officially been added to the park.

In 1965, the DelGrosso family purchased the 91.5-acre tract, just east of the Delaware River in Sussex County, N.J. but agreed to sell the property to the Nature Conservancy last year. Its appraised value was $1 million until the federal government allocated money for the park to buy the land.

The National Park Service considers the DelGrosso land to be a critical element for wildlife, habitat, and water protection in the Gap. The entire Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area covers about 70,000 acres of mostly forested land that cradles the Delaware River as it runs from Milford to Water Gap.

© emdot via Flickr

Yurts are one of the amenities being offered by Parks Canada.

Parks Canada has crafted a pilot project to lure more people into national parks by shying away from the traditional experience.

Instead of tent, campfire, and sleeping bag, think beds, plumbing, and lighting. "Roughing it" is combining with luxury at some Canadian parks and is bringing camping to a whole new audience. Campers at Forillon National Park in Quebec are now offered yurts rather than tents which  include wood floors, windows, a stove, a sink. and furniture.

Starting next spring, Jasper National Park will offer a number of cottage tents that include wooden floors, beds, bunk beds, tables, lights, futon chairs, pans, plates, glasses, and cutlery. Many will also include baseboard heaters. Still looking to cook over a campfire? Park staff will be on hand for lessons.

If the pilot project is successful, it could be expanded to other mountain parks. And Parks Canada is looking at other ideas to entice prospective visitors including play areas for children, power hookups, and even wireless Internet.

So what do you think? Is this pilot project a good idea to increase popularity at parks or will adding more amenities take away from the natural outdoor experience? Share your thoughts below!