SULPHUR, OK - The Chickasaw National Recreation Area has been operated by the National Park Service since the park was founded in 1906, and now more than one hundred years later the Chickasaw Nation is looking at taking over management of the park.

The Chickasaw National Recreation Area is the first park and only national park created at an American Indian tribe's request. Now the Chickasaws say they want to make sure the tribe for which the park was named for has more of a presence in the park.

Although the Chickasaw tribe hasn't inhabited the land at the Chickasaw National Recreation Area for over a decade park superintendent Bruce Noble says the tribe has always been a part of the park.

"I think there's always been a strong connection between the park and the tribe, not including the fact that we are named the Chickasaw Rec Area in honor of the tribe," Noble says.

Last week the tribe began discussions with the park about possibly taking over management of the park and released this statement:

"Our long term goals include expanding upon existing partnerships and developing a more unified approach to economic development and tourism in the region...No immediate changes are anticipated in the event the Chickasaw Nation does reach an agreement to manage the CNRA."

Administrator for the Chickasaw Nation Tom John says the nation has long term goals include expanding upon existing partnerships and developing a more unified approach to economic development and tourism in the region.

Noble says the Chickasaw already has plans to build a new visitor's center in the park to go along with new cultural center opening in Sulphur this summer.

Noble says there are no definite plans about a switch in management just yet, but says he hopes to continue the park's relationship with the nation to make the park a better place for all.

"I'm hopeful we'll see happen here is that the Chickasaw Nation will add to what we do here to help make it a better visitor experience and give us an opportunity to offer something to the public that we're not currently able to offer on our own."

The Chickasaw Nation says if it were to take over management it has no immediate plans to change the normal operations at the park, and says it could be later this year before a final decision is made.