Veterans Day Fee Waiver Pr 2009

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior

Gulf Islands National Seashore 1801 Gulf Breeze Parkway Gulf Breeze, FL 32563 850-934-2600 Florida 228-875-9057 Mississippi

National Park Service News Release For Immediate Release November 6, 2009

Contact: Nina Kelson 850-934-2606

Gulf Islands National Seashore Announces Fee Waivers for Veterans Day 2009 Superintendent Jerry Eubanks announced today that in celebration of Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11, 2009, the public will be admitted free-of-charge to public lands managed by the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture. At Gulf Islands National Seashore, the $8 per vehicle entrance fee normally collected at the Perdido Key area (Johnson Beach) and the Fort Pickens area will be waived on this day. Superintendent Jerry Eubanks states, “We are deeply proud to participate in honoring those Americans who now, or in the past, have given such tremendous service to their country by protecting the freedoms which we cherish so much as United States citizens.” Frequent visitors to the National Seashore can purchase an Annual Gulf Islands National Seashore Pass for $25. This pass allows the purchaser unlimited entrance to the National Seashore fee areas for a 12-month period during regular hours of operation. Besides Perdido Key and Fort Pickens, this would also include the Opal Beach area of the park which charges an entrance fee during the summer season. Two other passes, the Interagency Senior Pass issued to senior citizens for a one-time fee of $10 and the Interagency Access Pass that is free for disabled persons, are also available. Eubanks reminds visitors that Fort Pickens Campground has also fully reopened, including availability of RV utility hook-ups and regular restroom and hot shower facilities. Campsites are available for $20 per night, or $10 per night for Interagency Senior and Interagency Access Pass holders. For more information about these and other programs, please contact the Naval Live Oak Visitor Center in Florida at 850-934-2600.

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