WASHINGTON - 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 Jan. 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 https://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
