Vicksburg, Miss. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Vicksburg District announced today that it will waive day use fees for veterans, active and reserve component service members, and their families at the more than 146 Vicksburg District recreational areas on Veterans Day, November 11.
The fee waiver requires only verbal confirmation of service. The waiver covers fees for boat launch ramps and swimming beaches. The waiver does not apply to camping and camping-related services or fees for specialized facilities such as group picnic shelters. The District does not charge entrance fees to access its parks. Other agencies that manage recreational areas on District lands are encouraged, but not required, to offer the waiver in the areas that they manage.
The District first began the Veterans Day fee waiver in 2006 as a way to honor the men and women who have served our nation and the armed forces.
“To honor the nation’s veterans, we will continue our Veterans Day tradition of inviting veterans, active and reserve service members, and their families to visit one of the thousands of Corps recreational sites throughout the country, free of day use charges,” said Maj. Gen. Ed Jackson, Deputy Commanding General for Civil and Emergency Operations, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. We encourage people of all ages to get outdoors this Veterans Day and enjoy a day of fun and relaxation while participating in the wide variety of activities that are available at our many recreation areas,” added Jackson.
The District invites veterans, active and reserve service members, and their families this Veterans Day to visit one of their recreational areas or lakes to launch a boat, swim at one of their beaches, or just spend some time together enjoying the outdoors free of charge.
The 68,000-square-mile Vicksburg District’s recreational sites in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi host approximately nine million visitors annually. These visitors support nearly 2700 jobs and impact the local economies with approximately $200 million annually. To discover a Vicksburg District recreation site nearest you, please visit http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation.aspx or download the “Vicksburg USACE” smartphone app from your app store.