In 2016, the National Park Service (NPS) will celebrate its centennial. In this article, Deputy Director of Operations of the NPS Peggy O'Dell reflects on the great history of National Parks in American history, and the important role they play in telling America's stories and building communities. She then turns attention to the future, and discusses current NPS initiatives that bring parks to people, and the important role that collaboration with state and local parks can have in improving the health and well-being of individuals and communities.