ATLANTA GA - On Tuesday, March 27, the National Park Service will host a public "listening session" in Atlanta to seek suggestions and ideas on President Bush's $3 billion National Park Centennial Initiative. The initiative proposes to reinvigorate and strengthen America's national parks over the next decade.

National Park Service Southeast Regional Director Patricia Hooks will host the event. She will be by joined by the superintendents and staffs of Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historic Site, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, and Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. The session will be held at the Loudermilk Center, 40 Courtland Street, Atlanta, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The listening session is one in a series that is being held around the country on the President's proposal to provide up to $3 billion of new public and private investment to improve and expand national park conservation, preservation and visitor service programs by the National Park Service¡¯s 100th birthday in 2016. The first session was held on March 13 in Gatlinburg, Tenn. Others have been held in or are scheduled for Anchorage; St. Louis; Boston; San Antonio, Tex.; New York City; Seattle; Denver; San Juan, P.R.; San Francisco; Miami; Albuquerque, N.M.; Kailua-Kona, Hawaii; Washington, D.C.; and Los Angeles

* "This is a wonderful chance for the public to tell us what they believe should be done to both celebrate the 100th birthday of our National Park System and prepare our national parks to serve future generations in the next century," Hooks said. "It is a time for thoughtful review and a great opportunity to think big and act boldly."

Participants are being asked to focus their comments on three vital questions:

* Think of your children and grandchildren enjoying national parks in 2016 and beyond. How do you imagine their visit? What are your hopes and expectations?

* What role do you think national parks should play in the lives of Americans and visitors from around the world?

*What are the signature projects and programs that you think should be highlighted for completion over the next 10 years?

Based on these discussions, the Interior Department and National Park Service will identify signature projects and programs and set specific performance goals. They will present their recommendations to the President by May 31.

The public also may provide comments online regarding the National Park Centennial Initiative through April 2 at the following site: http://www.nps.gov/2016.