ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is waiving day-use fees for veterans, active and reserve component service members, and their families at the more than 2,400 Corps-operated recreation areas nationwide on Veterans Day, November 11.
The Rock Island District of the Army Corps of Engineers manages dozens of recreation areas throughout its area of responsibility which spans across most of Iowa and Illinois, as well as parts of Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin. At this time of year, most District recreation sites are closed for the season but many of the District’s boat ramps on the Mississippi River will participate in the Veterans Day offer and waive day use fees. Boat ramps at the following locations will participate: Grant River, Blanding Landing, Pleasant Creek, Big Slough, Thomson Causeway, Cattail Slough, Clarks Ferry, Lock and Dam 13 and Shady Creek.
"This Veterans Day we will honor our veterans, active and reserve service members, and their families with an invitation to visit one of the thousands of Corps recreation sites nationwide, free of charge. As an active participant of the administration's America's Great Outdoors initiative, we hope that you will join us," said Jo-Ellen Darcy, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works.
The day-use fee waiver requires only verbal confirmation of service. This waiver covers boat launch ramp and swim beach fees. The waiver does not apply to camping and camping-related services, or fees for specialized facilities such as group picnic shelters. Other agencies that manage recreation areas on Corps lands are encouraged, but not required, to offer the Veterans Day waiver of fees in the areas that they manage.
"We began this initiative in 2006 to support and honor the men and women who have served our nation and the armed forces, and to encourage them and their families to visit and enjoy one of our many recreation sites,” said Mike Ensch, Chief of Operations for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
With more than 370 million visits annually to 422 lake and river projects, the Corps is the largest federal provider of outdoor and water-based recreation in the nation. The more than 2,400 Corps-operated recreation areas nationwide provide a diverse range of outdoor activities to people of all ages, and the Corps estimates that 90 percent of its recreation projects are within 50 miles of metropolitan areas. To discover the Corps recreation site nearest you, please visit http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/visitors/visitors.cfm