National Association for Olmsted Parks Information

The National Association for Olmsted Parks (NAOP), established in 1980, is a coalition of design and preservation professionals, historic property and park managers, scholars, municipal officials, citizen activists and representatives of numerous Olmsted organizations around the United States. Its concern is the legacy of landscape work left by Frederick Law Olmsted Sr. and the firm continued by his sons. For more than 30 years, NAOP has raised awareness of the importance of the Olmsted legacy among public officials, community leaders, landscape design professionals and academics. NAOP encourages scholarship, publishes key reference materials, supports local park restoration, and provides technical assistance to preservation efforts. The Olmsted legacy needs a strong national advocate. Historic parks and landscapes around the country face multiple threats from development pressure, shrinking municipal budgets, and lack of understanding about the breadth and importance of the Olmsted-designed landscapes. NAOP is the only national organization solely dedicated to preserving the Olmsted legacy by providing the advocacy, research and education needed to protect, restore and maintain these exemplary parks and landscapes. Currently, NAOP serves as the managing partner of Olmsted 200, which celebrates the 200th anniversary of the birth of Olmsted. Learn more about Olmsted 200 at www.olmsted200.org.