News Release
| Release Number: | 06-154 |
| Dated: | 11/7/2006 |
| Contact: | Jennifer A. Sowell, 503-808-4510 |
PORTLAND, Ore. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will join other federal agencies in waiving day use fees for veterans, active duty service members and their families at its recreation areas nationwide on Veterans Day, Saturday, Nov. 11.
“Our intent is to honor and support the men and women who have served our nation in the armed services,” Maj. Gen. Don T. Riley, the Corps’ Director of Civil Works, said. "We chose this occasion to encourage our veterans and those on active duty to enjoy our parks and realize the benefits of outdoor recreation activities."
While waiving day use fees, the Corps also encourages all others to enjoy America's public lands and waters. The Corps is one of the largest providers of outdoor recreation, operating more than 2,500 recreation areas at 456 projects (mostly lakes) and leasing an additional 1,800 sites to state or local park and recreation authorities or private interests.
The Corps hosts about 375 million visits each year at its lakes, beaches and other areas, and estimates that 25 million Americans (one in ten) visit a Corps project at least once a year to recreate. Additional information about the Corps’ recreation program is available at http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/visitors/visitors.cfm.