Dover, TN - Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and in consultation with state and local public health information, Fort Donelson National Battlefield is increasing recreational access to the battlefield. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.
Beginning Wednesday, May 6, 2020, Fort Donelson will increase access to:
• All park lands of Fort Donelson, during normal operating hours
• Park Roads and Trails for pedestrian use
• River Overlook and Artillery Batteries
Beginning Thursday, May 7, 2020, Fort Donelson National Battlefield will increase access to:
• Park tour roads and parking lots, during normal operating hours Visitors are to park in designated parking spots; be alert for road work occurring in many areas of the park between May 5 and May 15.
With public health in mind, the following facilities remain closed at this time:
• Visitor Center, Comfort Stations, Picnic Area
• Historic Dover Hotel, Carriage House, and Education Pavilion
“Our staff is pleased that we can take this first step towards welcoming the public back to Fort Donelson National Battlefield, while ensuring we do everything necessary to enhance the safety of our visitors and employees," said Superintendent Brian McCutchen. “We encourage visitors to bring their own water and snacks and to help us keep the park clean by taking their trash home with them. Everyone’s cooperation in following the health and safety guidance that is in place is appreciated, and we wish for those visiting the battlefield to have a wonderful and wellspaced recreational experience."
The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At Fort Donelson National Battlefield, our operational approach will be to examine each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance. We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health, using CDC guidance to ensure public and workspaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers.
While these areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services may be limited. When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders, practice Leave No Trace principles, by taking their trash with them, practice social distancing, and avoid crowding.
The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.
Details and updates on park operations, along with opportunities to explore our unique resources and stories, will continue to be posted on our website (www.nps.gov/fodo) and our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/fortdonelsonnps).
Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.
www.nps.gov
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 419 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
