2016’s first US Forest Service fee free days for day-use facilities in our nation’s forest takes place during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend. Rod Bain and Joe Meade of the US Forest Service tell us more.
Fee Free Days This Weekend In National Forests
From the National Park Service
On Monday, January 18, national parks throughout the country will commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. All national parks will provide free admission for all visitors and many parks will host special events or volunteer service projects.
“We invite all Americans to honor the legacy of Dr. King in a national park,” said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. “Attend a special event, take part in a volunteer project, or visit a site with a direct connection to this great leader. We are all encouraged to remember the values of service and commitment to community that Dr. King exemplified throughout his life. Let’s make this holiday truly a day on, not a day off.”
In addition to waiving entrance fees at all national parks, many parks will host programs or volunteer work projects. Following is a partial list, please visit the National Park Service website for more events and information.
- Community Vegetable Garden Planting and Wellness Fair at Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve in Louisiana
- Invasive Plant Species Removal, Drainage & Inlet Cleaning at Valley Forge National Historical Park in Pennsylvania
- Anacostia River Clean-up with the Student Conservation Association at Anacostia Park in Washington, DC
- Dr. Martin Luther King Film Series and Dialogue at George Washington Carver National Monument in Missouri
- Tsunami Debris Clean-up, Habitat Restoration, and more at Golden Gate National Recreation Area in California
The additional entrance fee-free days for 2016 will be April 16 through 24, August 25 through 28, September 24, and November 11. Come to a national park and discover the sites and stories of our shared heritage.