Fees waived at Corps recreation areas to honor Veterans Day

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today that it will waive day-use fees for veterans, active and reserve component service members, and their families at the more than 2,400 USACE-operated recreation areas nationwide on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2012.

"We honor our veterans, active and reserve service members, and their families this Veterans Day with an invitation to launch a boat or swim at one of our beaches free of charge, said Maj. Gen. Michael J. Walsh, USACE Deputy Commanding General for Civil Works and Emergency Operations.

The day-use fee waiver requires only verbal confirmation of service. This waiver covers fees for boat launch ramps and swimming beaches. The waiver does not apply to camping and camping-related services, or fees for specialized facilities such as group picnic shelters. USACE does not charge an entrance fee to access its parks. Other agencies that manage recreation areas on USACE lands are encouraged, but not required, to offer the Veterans Day waiver of fees in the areas that they manage.

"We first began the Veterans Day fee waiver in 2006 as a way to honor the men and women who have served our nation and the armed forces, and to encourage them and their families to spend some time together enjoying America’s great outdoors,” added Walsh.  

With more than 370 million visits annually to 422 lake and river projects, USACE is the largest federal provider of outdoor and water-based recreation in the nation. It’s estimated that 90 percent of the more than 2,400 USACE-operated recreation areas nationwide are within 50 miles of metropolitan areas and offer a diverse range of outdoor activities to people of all ages. Discover the recreation site nearest you at: http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/visitors/visitors.cfm