News Release

Visitor Information and Park Store Opening on August 28

Date: August 25, 2020
Contact: Public Information Officer, 8286934178

Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Carl Sandburg Home NHS is adding services for visitor information and the park store. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis. 

Beginning Friday, August 28, and continuing through Sunday, November 1, 2020, Carl Sandburg Home NHS will add visitor information and park store services on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, in a tent outside the Sandburg Home garage.  Staff will answer questions and help visitors plan their visit. Visitors will also be able to purchase items from the park store, participate in the Jr. Ranger program, and more. After November 1, as the park shifts into winter operations, hours will vary based on weather and staffing. 

In addition, the following spaces are available:    

• Park trails 
• Most grounds 
• Parking lots 
• The water bottle filling station, located at the top of the hill, is open. 

With public health in mind, the following facilities remain closed: 

• Sandburg house and tours 
• Barn and barnyard.  Goats are visible from the barnyard fence. 
• Restrooms  
• Water fountains. Please bring enough drinking water for your visit. 
• Park shuttle
   

“We are pleased to provide additional visitor services and access to park store sales items. These items are provided by our nonprofit partner, America’s National Parks, and proceeds benefit educational programs at Sandburg,” said Superintendent Polly Angelakis. 

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At Carl Sandburg Home NHS, our operational approach continues to be centered on examining each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance, and will be regularly monitored. We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public areas and work spaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers.  

A safe and enjoyable park experience begins at home. The NPS encourages visitors to plan their visit by checking the park’s website and social media for current conditions and travel tips. The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We ask the public to be our partner in recreating responsibly, by following CDC and state and local guidance, social distancing, and wearing a face covering when social distance cannot be maintained.  

Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on our website www.nps.gov/carl and social media channels. Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.  

www.nps.gov

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 419 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. 

Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site, located in Flat Rock, NC, is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Due to Covid 19, some visitor services are limited. For park updates and all parking options visit www.nps.gov/carl.