Space can be a premium in some national parks, an expensive one at that, prompting some National Park Service managers to get a bit creative in gaining housing for both park and concessionaire employees.

At Acadia National Park in Maine, for example, the Park Service is looking for partners to enter into a private-public partnership to build housing for seasonal employees. For now the agency is simply trying to gauge interest in such a partnership. 

“This is an opportunity to revitalize and provide additional housing for Acadia National Park seasonal employees,” said Superintendent Kevin Schneider back in November when the matter was raised. “Seasonal employee housing is critical to us in being able to recruit and retain a well-qualified workforce, and it is also a crucial need for many other businesses and organizations in our community. We are very grateful to the National Park Foundation for providing seed funding to launch this initiative.”

Meanwhile, at Yellowstone National Park, staff are seeking public comment on a plan to create seasonal housing for concessions employees at the West Entrance and Canyon Village.

The Environmental Assessment for the proposed project would evaluate two alternatives. In Alternative A (no action), no additional seasonal housing would be constructed. Alternative B would include construction of up to 25 recreational vehicle sites and a bath house adjacent to the Yellowstone General Stores warehouse near the West Entrance for concessions employees.

Additionally, the proposal would redevelop and modify an abandoned loop at the Canyon Campground to house Canyon Lodge and Cabins employees. A combination of up to 14 RV sites and six modular homes would be integrated into the camper loop, and existing comfort stations would be rehabilitated to provide shower and laundry facilities.

Comments on the EA must be received by February 28. Comments may be submitted online at: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/concessionshousing, by hand-delivery, or by mail. Comments will not be accepted by fax, email, or by any other means.

Yellowstone staff also are completing compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act for this project, and consulting with the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office on the proposed project.

At Indiana Dunes National Park, officials are looking for landlords with apartments to rent.

"Summer employees often have difficulty in finding suitable short-term housing. Most of the employees are college students or people just starting their careers and have limited budgets," a park release said. "Many apartments will not lease or rent for less than six months or a year and the park's summer employees typically work less than that starting in May. Most employees will be looking for temporary, (two to six months), housing, preferably furnished apartments or rooms with cooking privileges. Persons interested in receiving referrals for summer renters from Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore should contact Administrative Support Assistant Florida Harris, at 219-395-1772."