Hey there, nature lover! If you‘re looking for a way to show off your love for the great outdoors while also supporting our amazing National Parks, let me introduce you to Parks Project. This purpose-driven brand is all about creating cool, vintage-inspired gear that gives back to the parks we all love. And let me tell you, their stuff is the real deal – super high-quality, sustainably made and crazy comfortable.
In this in-depth Parks Project review, I‘ll give you the full scoop on what this brand is all about, from their unique founding story to their National Park partnerships to their best-selling hoodies, tees and accessories that I personally can‘t get enough of. Plus, I‘ll share some eye-opening stats on how much good they‘re actually doing for the parks. Get ready to fall hard for a brand that looks good, feels good, and does a world of good!
The Troubling Truth About National Park Funding
First, a quick reality check: did you know that our National Parks are facing a massive $12 billion backlog of critical maintenance and conservation projects? Yep, that‘s billion with a "b". Despite being some of America‘s most treasured places, our parks are seriously underfunded and understaffed.
According to a 2020 report from the National Park Service, 60% of park units operate with less than 60% of the needed maintenance funding. That means crumbling trails, outdated visitor centers, and even issues with water treatment systems. Not a great look for "America‘s best idea", right?
That‘s where Parks Project comes in. Founded in 2014 by park volunteers Keith Eshelman and Sevag Kazanci, this brand was created specifically to help chip away at that massive backlog by turning park enthusiasts like you and me into micro-philanthropists.
How Parks Project Turns Your Threads into Trails
Here‘s how it works: Parks Project sells a range of apparel and gear printed with vintage-style designs inspired by classic National Park posters and souvenirs. But instead of just pocketing the profits, they partner directly with park conservancies to fund high-priority projects in the parks.
So when you buy, say, a Yosemite crewneck or a Zion camping mug from Parks Project, a portion of that purchase goes directly to things like trail restoration, habitat conservation and educational programs in that specific park. They‘ve partnered with over 45 different conservancies to support more than 100 individual projects in parks across the country.
And get this: to date, Parks Project has donated over $2 million to National Park projects through this model. That‘s $2 million more than if they just sat back and hoped Congress would increase the NPS budget!
Just look at some of the awesome work they‘ve funded recently:
| Park | Project | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Yosemite | Restoration of Mariposa Grove | Removal of invasive species and care for 500 giant sequoias |
| Zion | Trail maintenance | Rehabilitation of popular trails like Angels Landing and The Narrows |
| Joshua Tree | Desert habitat restoration | Planting of native species and removal of illegal roads |
| Acadia | Youth education programs | Hands-on outdoor learning for over 4,000 students |
By focusing on tangible, measurable projects, Parks Project ensures that every dollar they donate has a real, lasting impact. And as a customer, you get to see exactly where your money is going and feel good knowing you played a part in preserving these iconic places.
Gear That Looks Good and Does Good
Ok, but how‘s the actual gear, you ask? In my experience, it‘s top-notch. Parks Project works with sustainable materials like organic cotton and recycled polyester to create super-soft tees, cozy hoodies and can‘t-stop-wearing-it accessories. The vintage-inspired designs are way cool, with perfectly faded colors and old-school graphics that could be straight out of a ‘70s souvenir shop.
As a Parks Project devotee, I‘ve tried a bunch of their bestsellers, and I‘m consistently impressed by the quality and attention to detail. Their classic National Parks Crew Tee has a perfectly worn-in feel and just-right fit, and I‘ve been living in my Zion Allover Print Hoodie on chilly mornings. The Joshua Tree Tie Dye Beanie is another favorite – it‘s the perfect weight and the colors are even more vibrant IRL.
And I‘m not the only one geeking out over Parks Project gear. Their website is full of rave reviews from happy campers loving the fit, feel and mission behind each piece. Like this one:
"I bought this sweatshirt a month ago and have barely taken it off since! It‘s so soft and comfy, and I love knowing that my purchase helped restore trails in Yosemite. Parks Project is the best!"
Or this one:
"I never thought I could be this obsessed with a beanie, but here we are. It‘s the perfect weight and doesn‘t stretch out or get saggy. Plus, the colors are beautiful and it matches all my other Parks Project gear. Will definitely be buying more!"
Reviewers also consistently call out Parks Project‘s excellent customer service, easy returns, and speedy shipping. They offer free standard shipping on all US orders over $75, and in my experience, packages usually arrive within 3-5 business days.
Wearing Your Values on Your Sleeve
Part of what makes Parks Project gear so special is the story and mission behind it. By rocking a Parks Project tee or carrying their Yosemite tote, you‘re not just repping your favorite park – you‘re showing the world that you care about preserving and protecting these places for future generations. It‘s a way to wear your values on your sleeve (literally) and start conversations about conservation wherever you go.
Parks Project knows that their customers are some of the most passionate park advocates out there, and they love fostering that community around a shared cause. Their Instagram feed is full of folks proudly posting pics in their Parks Project getups on top of mountains and under waterfalls, and they make a point to share real stories of the projects and people they support.
In a world of fast fashion brands just trying to make a quick buck, it‘s refreshing to find a company that cares more about impact than profits. And it‘s clearly resonating. Parks Project has grown a lot since their early days, with their gear now sold at REI, Urban Outfitters and even J. Crew, exposing a whole new audience to their mission.
The Verdict: A Brand That Walks the Walk
At the end of the day, I can‘t recommend Parks Project highly enough. From top to bottom, this brand just gets it. Their gear is thoughtfully designed and ethically produced, their give-back model is transparent and impactful, and their vibe is all about celebrating and protecting the places we love most.
Yes, their prices are a bit higher than what you‘d pay for a basic souvenir tee at the park gift shop. But in my book, it‘s well worth the extra cash to know you‘re supporting a company that‘s doing real, tangible good for the parks. It‘s an investment you can feel great about, every time you slip on that perfectly broken-in tee or cozy up around the campfire in your Parks Project beanie.
So if you‘re looking for a way to show off your park pride while putting your money where your heart is, look no further. Parks Project has everything you need to outfit your adventures and make a difference, one vintage-cool tee at a time.
I‘ll leave you with a few more stats that really drive home the impact of supporting a brand like Parks Project:
| Metric | Number |
|---|---|
| Dollars donated to park projects to date | Over $2 million |
| Number of park projects funded | 100+ |
| Number of park conservancies partnered with | 45 |
| Number of parks impacted | Too many to count! |
Just remember, every Parks Project purchase is a vote for the future of our parks and public lands. So go ahead and treat yourself to that Joshua Tree crewneck or Rainier tee – your wardrobe (and your favorite park) will thank you!
