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John Muir Lodge Gets a Fresh, Green Facelift
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John Muir Lodge Gets a Fresh, Green Facelift
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The iconic Kings Canyon lodge unveils all-new,
eco-conscious rooms for an authentic national parks experience
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Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, CA – December 2014 / Newsmaker Alert / Nestled amongst picturesque forests and meadows and steps from the famed General Grant Tree, John Muir Lodge in Kings Canyon’s Grant Grove Village has been lending itself to unforgettable national park trips for close to two decades. A fixture of countless family getaways and outdoor adventures, the rustic stone-and-timber lodge offers intimate and inviting quarters for guests in all seasons. Now, its welcoming atmosphere is further enhanced and equipped to deliver an authentic national parks experience after a full remodel of the lodge’s 36 rooms.

Partnering with local Darden Architects, concessionaire Delaware North Parks & Resorts devoted approximately $400,000 to update everything from carpeting, bedding and window treatments to headboards, lounge chairs and fans. In keeping with Delaware North’s GreenPath philosophy; which applies environmentally conscious practices across all facets of business; all furniture, carpeting, fabric and blinds are eco-friendly. Much of the wood furniture is crafted from sustainably sourced hickory saplings that would not be able to grow healthily in nature and would have to be removed, while other pieces are constructed from reclaimed wood. Fabrics, such as those used for upholstery and duvet covers, are also handpicked from an environmentally dedicated vendor. For both Delaware North and Darden Architects, it was crucial to maintain the integrity of the lodge and its surroundings, as well as add to the guest experience with a warm aesthetic that speaks to the scenery of Kings Canyon.

“We wanted to choose items that look like they’ve been here, not just thrown in as part of a new update,” explained Darden Architects’ DeDe Darnell.

“Our goal as a company is to build onto and support the locations we are fortunate enough to operate on, not interrupt their natural beauty and systems,” added General Manager Brandon McCarter. “It is wonderful to see a change that will better serve our guests also better highlight our gorgeous surroundings and decrease our environmental impact.”

More updates include thicker walls for tranquil sleep and, for the first time ever, flat screen TVs in each room. The lodge is also now featuring works from local artist Jane Ziegler, who knows a thing or two about making John Muir Lodge feel like home – she works at its neighboring Grant Grove gift shop. Ziegler gains a great deal of inspiration from the sights and sounds of Kings Canyon, and the Darden team worked closely with her to choose 24 prints showcasing vistas return guests would easily be able to recognize or first-timers would want to visit.

Curious guests can enjoy the all-new John Muir Lodge and a great deal with the Midweek Bed & Breakfast Package, which includes an overnight stay and breakfast for two at Grant Grove Restaurant. Rates start at $129 for winter and $149 for spring.

Beyond the lodge, more exciting developments are in the works for Grant Grove Village. Its cozy cabins, which offer lodging from late spring through early fall, will be debuting interior furniture and soft goods updates by May 2015. And, the onsite Grant Grove Restaurant will be completely rebuilt and redesigned to align with the theme of authenticity and sustainability, planned for completion in 2016.

To learn more about lodging in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, please visit VisitSequoiaKingsCanyon.com.

About Delaware North Parks & Resorts
Delaware North Parks & Resorts is a global leader in the hospitality and food service industry operating lodging, recreational activities, food & beverage, retail and educational programming at destinations throughout North America, Australia and Asia.  Its portfolio includes national and state parks, luxury resorts, cultural attractions and hotels. To learn more about Delaware North’s hospitality management expertise, visit www.DelawareNorth.com/industries/parks.

About Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
This press release is issued by Delaware North. For additional information on Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, please visit NPS.gov/SeKi or contact Dana Dierkes; Chief, Branch of Communications and Outreach; at dana_dierkes@nps.gov or 559-565-3131.

About Delaware North
Delaware North is one of the largest and most admired, privately-held hospitality companies in the world. Founded and owned by the Jacobs family for nearly 100 years, it is a global leader in hospitality and food service with operations in the sports, travel hospitality, restaurants and catering, parks, resorts, gaming and specialty retail industries. Its portfolio includes high-profile venues ranging from sports stadiums, entertainment complexes, national parks, restaurants, airports, and some of the top regional casinos in the country. The company also owns a selection of award-winning destination resorts, as well as a series of premium restaurants and catering services that are leaders in the industry. Delaware North has annual revenue exceeding $3 billion with 60,000 employee associates serving half a billion guests in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. For more information, visit www.DelawareNorth.com.

Media Contact:
Julie Wright
(W)right On Communications, Inc.
for Sequoia National Park
858-755-5411
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Delaware North
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Placement Dates: 12/02/14 – 02/02/15
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