Secretary
of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced that the National Park
Service will waive admission fees on 17 selected dates throughout 2011
and encouraged all Americans to make a New Year’s resolution to visit a
national park this year.
“Many people have made resolutions to spend more quality time with
loved ones and to get outdoors and unplug in 2011,” said Secretary
Salazar. “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.”
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 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
Jarvis. “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.
