GAIN FREE ENTRY INTO LAKE MEAD SEPT 29 IN CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY
BOULDER CITY, Nev. - Lake Mead National Recreation Area is offering free entry into the park Sept. 29 in celebration of National Public Lands Day.
The day, celebrated by federal land areas across the U.S., began in 1994 to encourage caring for the nation's shared lands. Today, it is the largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance publicly held lands for the greater enjoyment and enrichment of all who visit.
"With one-third of America's land in public hands, National Public Lands Day provides an opportunity for volunteers of all ages to help sustain these lands," said Robb Hampton, director of the public lands program of the National Environmental Education Foundation, which coordinates NPLD.
This year, the Lake Mead National Recreation Area is hosting a volunteer clean-up at Government Wash to help clean up the popular summer getaway area. The first 100 participants will receive a free T-shirt and a coupon good for a free return visit to any participating federal land area (one coupon per family). Coupons are available while supplies last. To pre-register or for more information, contact assistant volunteer coordinator Bryan Goodwin at (702) 293-8717 or by email at Bryan_Goodwin@partner.nps.gov.
Park staff will also assist with an NPLD event at the Colorado River Greenway Heritage Park and Trail in Laughlin from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The schedule includes a fun run and fun walk, ranger-led hikes, fishing activities, kayaking on the river and exhibitor booths. More information is available at (928) 754-3272.
At the park headquarters, the Western National Parks Association Bookstore will offer a 15 percent discount on all bookstore items, such as books, postcards, T-shirts and other gifts. Open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, the bookstore is located at 601 Nevada Way, Boulder City.
In addition to volunteering, park rangers encourage visitors to enjoy Lake Mead National Recreation Area's 1.5 million acres of public land available for boating, fishing, hiking, photography and sightseeing. This weekend, due to record rainfalls, visitors will witness a rare autumn bloom of Chinch Weed that is blanketing the desert floor with yellow flowers.
The next fee-free days in 2012 will be Veterans Day weekend, Nov. 10-12. Fee-free days only apply to entrance fees. Fees for camping, lake use or use of concessions still apply.
For more information on National Public Lands Day, visit www.publiclandsday.org. For more information on recreational opportunities at Lake Mead National Recreation Area visit the park's website at www.nps.gov/lake or call (702) 293-8990.
- NPS -
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
