Will the change in park hours significantly reduce my ability to visit?
A: No. The park has adopted suggestions from the public to define sunrise as 30 minutes before sunrise and to define sunset as 30 minutes after sunset. This revised definition will result in a change in the number of hours the public can visit the grounds at Gettysburg National Military Park from 0 hours (summer) to -2:39 hours (winter) and increase the hours visitors may access the Gettysburg National Cemetery from +0:34 hours (winter) to +2:22 hours (summer) and Eisenhower National Historic Site from +2:21 hours (winter) to +8:02 hours (summer) year round. Change in hours is presented based on the difference between the longest day of the year (June 21, summer) and shortest day of the year (December 21, winter).
Where can I obtain sunrise and sunset times?
A: Visitors can plan their visit and obtain a listing of sunrise and sunset times by day in Gettysburg, PA at: https://sunrise-sunset.org/us/gettysburg-pa.
What is considered an appropriate park use?
A: An “appropriate use” as defined by NPS Management Policies (2006) is one that is suitable, proper, or fitting for a particular park, or to a particular location within a park. Not all uses are appropriate or allowable in units of the national park system, and what is appropriate may vary from one park to another and from one location to another within a park. Decisions on whether a particular activity is appropriate are made based on park-specific resources, visitor experience, legislation and planning documents.
Why are organized, competitive recreational events considered an inappropriate park use at Gettysburg National Military Park?
A: As the number of recreational events in the park has increased over time the potential for unacceptable impacts has emerged. Park management engaged in a thoughtful, deliberative process to determine necessary action to further manage or constrain the use or to discontinue it. This analysis concluded that competitive race events do not foster an understanding of and appreciation for park resources, have no direct association with or interaction with park resources, and result in unacceptable impacts to park resources, visitor experience, and visitor safety.
Organized, competitive recreational events only occur on park roadways – how can that lead to unacceptable impacts?
A: The purpose, location, and features of the “roads of the battlefield” have significant meaning as elements of a designed landscape and are themselves an important park resource. The park avenues and the monuments, tablets, memorials, and statues that line them mark the lines of the battle of both armies, often where the fighting raged the hottest. The commemorative avenues are also designated as the primary means of visitor access to sites within the park and are frequently congested during the high visitor use season. As interpretive elements, the monumentation and avenues describe the battle, help visitors visualize the positions of troops, and serve as a reminder of the pain, grief, and pride that survivors felt after the battle. They are a remarkable record of both the battle and of the emotions of survivors. (NPS 1999) There may be nowhere in the park that contributes more to the special sense of place at Gettysburg or elicits feelings associated with solemnity and hallowed ground than along the commemorative system of avenues. For these reasons, the park has concluded that the impacts of competitive recreational events on park resources, visitor experience, and visitor safety are unacceptable and that this form of public recreation is more appropriate to other venues.
Why are organized, non-competitive recreational events considered an appropriate use at Gettysburg National Military Park?
A: Local community members and other visitors, while traversing park roadways on foot or bicycle in a non-competitive environment, are able to take the time to understand and appreciate the historic and commemorative landscape, stop or step off the roadway to allow buses and vehicles to pass safely, do not ring cowbells or shout encouragement, and do not interfere with the ability of other visitors to experience and enjoy the history of the hallowed grounds and solemnity of the park. These events are considered to be consistent with the purpose and significance of Gettysburg National Military Park and will continue to be managed through the National Park Service, Special Use Program. Through the special use permit process any impacts from these events will be mitigated through restrictions on group size, seasonality, and location.
Will participants of organized, competitive recreational events still be able to gain inspiration from the Gettysburg landscape?
A: Yes. The park is committed to continuing to support organized, competitive race events in partnership with the community held on state and local roadways through the park and along the park boundaries. Use of these state and municipal roadways provides access to improved roads, allows event participants to continue to benefit from and get inspiration from the scenic beauty and history of Gettysburg and at the same time promotes resource protection, visitor experience, and visitor safety on park roadways.
Is the park planning to prohibit all forms of recreational use?
A: No. Gettysburg National Military Park will continue to serve the community as an open space where appropriate recreational activities are welcome. We also look forward to working collaboratively with the community to support non-competitive recreational events that: (1) are appropriate to the purpose for which the park was established; (2) are inspirational, educational, or healthful, and otherwise appropriate to the park environment; (3) will foster an understanding of and appreciation for park resources and values, or will promote enjoyment through a direct association with, interaction with, or relation to park resources; and (4) can be sustained without causing unacceptable impacts to park resources or values.
