How long has it been for the National Parks Service? Oh, so long. Not too long, but long AF. Think, like, 100 years. 

Yeah, the U.S. National Parks Service is turning a century old, and nature lovers everywhere are celebrating with new coins and stamps dedicated to the occasion.

Here in New York City we’ll get a special opportunity to celebrate the NPS centennial, with a party hosted by Questlove and Bill Nye the Science Guy.

From 1:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on August 22nd, Pier 1 of the Brooklyn Bridge Park will be filled with games, food, and fun. At the top of the list are a free ice cream social and a surprise musical performance.

Probably above all of that though, Bill Nye has set aside 7:45 p.m. for an interactive experience which will apparently grant attendees the power to control the color of the spire on top of One World Trade Center.

Personally, we’d go just for that.

The National Parks service comments that this is the first time the public will have this level of control (or really, any level of control) of the World Trade Center.

[anad]

After this experiment, Questlove will do the honors of DJing a two-hour set. Another prime reason to go celebrate NPS's birthday. 

hiphopaesthetic

Oh, did we mention that all of this is free? Yup. You can find out more about the National Parks Service’s birthday events here.