U.S. Army Corps of Engineers waives day-use fees on National Public Lands Day, Sept. 29

Published Sept. 24, 2012

West Palm Beach, Fla. (Sept. 24, 2012) -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will waive day-use fees at its more than 2,400 USACE-operated recreation areas nationwide in recognition of National Public Lands Day, Sept. 29. On this day, fees normally charged at boat launch ramps and swimming beaches will be waived. USACE does not charge entrance fees to its parks.

The waiver does not apply to camping and camping-related services, or fees for specialized facilities such as group picnic shelters. Other agencies and partners that manage recreation areas located on USACE lands are encouraged but not required to comply with this waiver of day-use fees in the areas they manage.

Several Corps-managed recreation areas in Florida will waive day-use fees:

  •        W.P. Franklin North boat ramp             $3 boat ramp fee
  •        W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area   $3 boat ramp fee and $1 swimming beach fee
  •        Ortona North Recreation Area             $3 boat ramp fee
  •        St. Lucie South Recreation Area          $3 boat ramp fee

“Come on out and enjoy the swimming beach at W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area before the weather turns cooler,” said Rick Pelzl, supervisory parks manager. “While you are here, you can also check out our interactive visitor center.”

“Public Lands Day is a great time to take advantage of the waived day-use fees and head to the great outdoors with friends and family,” said Phil Hart, park ranger at the W.P. Franklin Recreation Area. “Remember to be prepared for the unexpected and wear a life jacket to be safe while you are out having fun near the water. If you need a life jacket, you can borrow one for free through our life jacket loaner program at any of the Corps managed boat ramps and at the W.P. Franklin South swimming beach.”

USACE has been involved with National Public Lands Day since its inception in 1994 and has consistently been one of the event’s largest providers of sites and volunteers. As the nation’s leading federal provider of outdoor and water-based recreation, USACE manages 422 lake and river projects in 43 states. With 90 percent of these projects located within 50 miles of metropolitan areas, USACE sites provide a wide range of safe, affordable outdoor recreation opportunities close to home.

To locate National Public Lands Day events near you, visit http://www.publiclandsday.org/. For more information on USACE recreation opportunities visit Recreation.gov or www.CorpsLakes.us. For water safety tips, visit http://www.watersafety.usace.army.mil/.


Contact
Erica Robbins
561-472-8893
erica.a.robbins@usace.army.mil

Release no. 12-069