We're optimistic about plans to establish a National Historical Park in Auburn, but the planning stages will require that the community - and its elected officials - get behind it.

While creating a national park honoring the life and work of Harriet Tubman will literally require an act of Congress, the National Park Service outlined this week a preliminary study of the idea that appears to have no major obstacles. The final report should be completed by the end of the year and that will be followed by a public comment period that will be crucial to how - and if - the project moves forward.

Locally, a historical park could be located at both the Tubman home property and the AME Zion Church. National Park Service involvement would mean millions of dollars for preservation of the properties along with federal resources to help manage the sites and develop interactive programming for visitors.

As a tourist attraction, the Tubman home is underutilized and the facilities are not up to par with the stature of such an important historical figure.

With the support of the community, along with the expertise of the National Park Service, a top-notch visitor experience can be developed here. The end result would be an advancement in public education about Tubman's legacy and a boom in tourism for Auburn and the surrounding area. While the final version may still be years away, the potential positive impacts of this project are immeasurable.

Our elected officials need to be vigilant in making sure the federal funding stream gets tapped into, and every stakeholder - right down to the average citizen with a suggestion or comment to make - must have their voices heard as the park becomes closer to becoming a reality.