Antietam National Battlefield Proposes Entrance and Group Campground Fee Increases The invites the public to comment on proposed entrance fee and group campground increases in 2015. Fees collected at Antietam are critical to the battlefield’s operation and are invested in park projects that improve facilities and experiences for its visitors. Comments are being accepted online at: parkplanning.nps.gov/antietamfees through Feb. 11, 2015. For more information about the proposed changes, go to: nps.gov/anti/parknews/fees.htm The park per person fee is proposed to go from $4/3 days to $5/3 days. The per vehicle fee is proposed to go from $6/3 days to $10/3 days, and the Parks annual pass from $20 to $30. The park also proposes to increase the rates for the Rohrbach Group Campground, which is open to scouting and similar youth organizations. The current rate of $25 for two nights and $10 for each additional night would rise to $50 for two nights and $25 for each additional night. “Those of us at Antietam are committed to keeping the battlefield affordable, and we also want to continue providing visitors with the best possible experience,” Superintendent Susan Trail said. “The money generated from entrance and group camping fees is critical to our ability to maintain battlefield facilities and resources and to provide high quality visitor services.” Recent fee projects at Antietam National Battlefield include emergency stabilization of the Burnside Bridge following the collapse of a small section of stone wall; preservation work on historic structures, including the Roulette House and Joseph Poffenberger Barn; battlefield landscape restoration on the historic Otto Farm; and enhanced interpretive and education services. This spring, fee revenue is funding a substantial preservation maintenance project on the Private Soldiers’ Monument (“Old Simon”) in Antietam National Cemetery, as part of the battlefield’s preparations to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the cemetery’s dedication in 2017. Additional revenue from fee increases would help the battlefield continue its preservation of the battlefield and national cemetery landscapes and provide educational programs for visitors and school groups. Antietam National Battlefield is a strong economic engine for the surrounding area. In 2012, more than 500,000 park visitors contributed $27.5 million to the local economy and supported 361 jobs related to tourism. Entrance fees are not charged to persons under 16 years of age or holders of the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Senior, Access or Military Passes. These passes may be obtained at the battlefield. Following the comment period, feedback will determine how, or whether, the fee increases would be implemented.
Posted on: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 18:28:14 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015