Tunnel View Overlook Dedicated

On Friday, October 24th, Secretary of Interior Dirk Kempthorne, Pacific West Regional Director Jon Jarvis, and Superintendent Mike Tollefson presided over the dedication of Tunnel View overlook, a signature Centennial Initiative project.

Activities included reenacting a photo of Native Americans in front of the Wawona tunnel from the first dedication in 1933, a blessing by Southern Sierra Miwok Elder Jay Johnson, Native American singing, remarks by Kempthorne, Jarvis, and Tollefson, and the unveiling of a bronze relief map of Yosemite Valley.

The dedication marked the first renovation of the iconic overlook since 1933. The $3 million project ($1.7 million from the Yosemite Fund, $1.3 from the Centennial Initiative) included adding a viewing area separate from the parking lot, making the site handicap accessible, renovating the rockwork, repaving the entire area,  improving traffic flow, improving drainage, and updating and adding wayside exhibits.

About 300 people attended the event. The dedication and associated events were managed under ICS (Vickie Mates, IC). Media interest was high.