Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, citing the country's continuing economic doldrums, has selected 17 days this year when entrance to all units of the National Park System will be free.
“Many people have made resolutions to spend more quality time with loved ones and to get outdoors and unplug in 2011,” the secretary said today in a press release. "There’s no better place than a national park to help keep those resolutions. Parks offer superb recreational opportunities, making them perfect places to enjoy our beautiful land, history and culture, and nurture a healthy lifestyle.”
Secretary Salazar noted that with 394 national parks throughout the country, most Americans live within a few hours of a park, making them places for easy and affordable vacations any time of the year.
“In these tough economic times, our fee-free days will give families many opportunities to enjoy our nation’s heritage and natural beauty in meaningful and affordable ways,” he said.
The 2011 fee-free dates will be the upcoming weekend of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (January 15-17), National Park Week (April 16-24), the first day of summer (June 21), National Public Lands Day (September 24), and the weekend of Veterans Day (November 11-13).
The first fee free days are centered on the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.
“Visitors can literally walk in Dr. King’s footsteps at national parks such as Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site in Georgia, Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail in Alabama, or the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC,” said National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis. “They are just a few of the dozens of national parks which trace the history of African Americans.”
“Several parks will also honor Dr. King by hosting volunteer projects for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service on January 17,” added the Park Service director. “It is the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service – a day on, not a day off.”
Many national park concessions will also offer discounts on fee free days, saving visitors money on food, lodging, tours, and souvenirs. More information is available at http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm.
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Kurt, Yours and "For Hatteras Open Access" are both basically accurate information depending on what and when NPS policy measures are initiated which is a little up in the air right now as you know. The glaring fact that these posts bring out is that a place, liki Cape Hatteras, that has been loved for its simplicity is being so drastically changed. I am further troubled to read so many contraversial coments regarding other Parks, sparked by similar situations. Additionally, I get the sense that our park system as we now know it, as a hole, is in grave danger. I think, like so many other aspects of our federal government, its time to slow down and ask the question, are we trying to change too much to fast, when we should be worrying about maintaining what we've already got. To do this we need to keep the backing of ALL the people we can, meaning Stop Alienating people, particularly the people who have been using the parks. They have been supporting the NPS in all kinds of ways, not just entry fees. As you know, My wife and I, are into fishing. But because we are drawn to the Outer Banks as such, we support the Wright Brothers Memorial, Aquarium and other fee dependent facilities taking family and friends with us, every year. Additionally, we support the community in general which in turn supports the Parks. I think you know what I mean. We just want to see the Park System remain successful though it could be benefitial in some ways if Cape Hatteras were ot revert back to the state and the people from whence it came.
Ron (obxguys)