Letter from Gettysburg Superintendent Johh Latschar.

More at http://www.nps.gov/gett/gettnews/parkhours-intro.htm

May 2, 2005

Dear Friend:

Gettysburg National Military Park (NMP) is proposing to modify visiting hours to daylight hours only beginning October 1, 2005. Presently, park grounds are closed to the public from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., with the exception of specified thoroughfare roads. The proposal would establish “Sunset to 6 a.m.” as the standard park closure hours for Gettysburg NMP.

The mission of Gettysburg NMP is to preserve and protect the resources associated with the Battle of Gettysburg and the Soldiers’ National Cemetery and provide an understanding of the events that occurred here within the context of American History. Daytime visitation to the park is predominantly educational in nature, while after-dark visitation is “recreational” and not related to the specific purposes for which the park was established.

The park includes 5,989 acres of land, 1830 monuments and cannon, 31 miles of avenues and 147 historic buildings. Park visitation in 2004 was 1,798,820 visitors.
 
The National Park Service has three primary concerns: 1) threats to park resources during after-dark hours, 2) visitor safety, and 3) lack of adequate staffing.

Threats to Park Resources - Over the years, significant resource damage has occurred in the park as a result of “after-dark” recreational use. Damage occurs at Devils Den, Little Round Top, Peace Light Memorial, the Pennsylvania Memorial, and elsewhere as a result of both deliberate abuse and unintentional acts. Most of the park’s more serious criminal activity occurs after dark, including the majority of all vandalism incidents, as well as DUI’s, drug and alcohol violations and disorderly conduct. Many of these criminal violations result in damage to park resources and/or threaten visitor safety.

Visitor Safety - The number of “after-dark” visitors has been increasing in recent years. The park has never been managed for after-dark operations, and has no exterior lighting of other improvements to improve the safety of after-dark visitors.

Battlefield terrain is not conducive to safe visitor use after dark. Unfortunately, visitors who are unfamiliar with the park contribute to accidental damage while attempting to explore narrow park roads, lined with monuments, boulders, trees and fences that pose potential hazards to vehicles after dark. Pedestrian safety at night is also a concern since battlefield terrain is hazardous to pedestrians in darkness.

Lack of adequate staffing - Law enforcement staffing is at its lowest level in the past 24 years. Decreased staffing levels have resulted in reduced ranger coverage in the park. During this same period, visitation to Gettysburg NMP increased by 54%. It is becoming increasingly difficult to manage visitor safety and protection of the park’s resources especially after dark.
Park approved special events, such as the popular summer campfire programs, the annual Remembrance Illumination, youth group campground operations, and park sponsored public meetings would continue to be permitted. Certain park avenues would continue to be accessible 24 hours/day for vehicular through-travel only.

This proposal would not affect the visitors’ ability to watch the sunset from the battlefield. Gettysburg NMP Ranger Staff would allow visitors to view the sunset from Little Round Top or any area of the battlefield and allow them time to proceed to their vehicles and exit the park before enforcing the restrictions.

A public comment period will begin on May 2, 2005 for a period of thirty days. Written comments on the proposal shall be directed to: Gettysburg National Military Park, Office of the Superintendent, 97 Taneytown Road, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325, and must be received no later than May 31, 2005. Comments may also be submitted to GETT_Superintendent@nps.gov.

If, after consideration of public comments, the National Park Service decides to pursue the proposal a grace enforcement period would be established between October 1 and December 31, 2005, to acclimate the public to the changes in park operating hours. Beginning January 1, 2006, fines would be enforced as specified.

If you would like to comment on the proposal, please send us your comments by May 31, 2005.

Thank you for your interest in the National Park Service.

Sincerely,
/s/Dr. John A. Latschar
Dr. John A. Latschar
Superintendent