The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area consists of seventy-two miles of the river and a host of parks, trails, and historic sites along the riverbanks in the Twin Cities area. In an effort to call attention to this network of assets, the National Park Service this weekend celebrates the opening of a visitor center at the Science Museum in downtown Saint Paul. National Park Service Director Fran Mainella is in town to christen the center. She was appointed by President Bush to lead the Park Service back in 2001. Mainella says the Mississippi River Park and its new visitor center are the wave of things to come at the Park Service.