News Release

Fort Frederica National Monument is beginning to increase recreational access

Date: June 24, 2020
Contact: Michael Seibert, 912 638-3639 ex 104

Saint Simons Island, GA – Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Fort Frederica National Monument (FOFR) is increasing recreational access and services. The National Park Service (NPS) is working service-wide 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 Wednesday, June 24, 2020 FOFR will reopen access to:
• Park Visitor Center/Museum and store with capacity limits;
• Restrooms. As always, there are no entrance fees to the park.

With public health in mind, the following facilities remain closed or cancelled:
• Park film, fort tours, summer camps, education programs, and living history demonstrations.

“Through the support of public health officials, I am thrilled to announce the opening of the park Visitor Center and Museum and park store at Fort Frederica National Monument. During this unprecedented time, I hope visitors are able to appreciate our past and know that we have been through tough times before and will once again triumph over challenges,” said Superintendent Gary Ingram.

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At FOFR, our operational approach will be to examine 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 and workspaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers. While these areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services may be limited.

When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders like these from surrounding counties: Glynn County Emergency Management, Camden County Emergency Management, Charlton County Emergency Management, Nassau County Emergency Management, and Duval County Emergency Management. Also, when at the park, practice Leave No Trace principles, avoid crowding and avoid high-risk outdoor activities. The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID19, and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.

Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on our website www.nps.gov/fofr and social media channels at https://www.facebook.com/FortFredericaNPS/ and @fortfredericanps Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.  

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 closeto-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.