News Release

Updates to the Superintendent’s Compendium for Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site Finalized

The sun rises brightly over the a foggy field. A barn is on the left and a few trees are in the center. In the distance to the right is the domed Pennsylvania monument.
Sunrise over the battlefield.

NPS Photo

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News Release Date: May 3, 2021

Contact: Jason Martz, 717-338-4423

GETTYSBURG, Pa. – Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site have finalized changes to the Superintendent’s Compendium related to park hours and the appropriateness of organized, competitive recreational events on park roadways. The Superintendent's Compendium is the summary of park specific rules implemented under Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations (36 CFR). The regulations contained in 36 CFR are the basic mechanism used by the National Park Service to preserve and protect the natural and cultural resources of the park and to protect visitors and property within the park. The Compendium is updated at least annually and serves as public notice related to designations, closures, permit requirements and other restrictions adopted under the Superintendent's discretionary authority.

The public was invited to comment on proposed changes to the compendium for a period of 30 days between January 19, 2021 and February 17, 2021. During the public comment period, 230 pieces of written correspondence were received electronically via the webform provided through the NPS Planning, Environment & Public Comment (PEPC) system. Each piece of correspondence was read, and specific comments within each correspondence were identified. All substantive comments were grouped by similar themes, and those groups were summarized with a concern statement. A formal response was then provided that addressed each concern statement.
 

 


As a result of public comment, the proposal to change the hours of Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg National Cemetery, and Eisenhower National Historic Site to sunrise to sunset was revised. Sunrise will be defined as 30 minutes before sunrise and sunset will be defined as 30 minutes after sunset. The revised definition will allow park visitors to continue to engage in traditional activities such as watching sunsets, photography, and recreational activities after work while at the same time achieving the park goals of protecting park resources and visitor safety. Overall, the change will result in expanded hours visitors may enjoy the Gettysburg National Cemetery and Eisenhower National Historic Site. At Gettysburg National Military Park the revised definition will result in no change in hours during the summer and reduce the amount of time visitors may access park grounds by up to 2.5 hours during the winter (changes based on the difference between the longest and shortest days of the year). The change in park hours will become effective on May 15, 2021.

No change was made to the park determination that organized; competitive recreational events are considered an inappropriate visitor use on park roadways. Therefore, effective January 1, 2022, these types of events will be prohibited. Appropriate recreational use by the public will continue to be welcome in the park. Additionally, organized, non-competitive recreational events, which are considered an appropriate visitor use, 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.

The park looks forward to partnering with the community to support organized, competitive recreational events held on state and local roadways through the park and along the park boundaries where participants may continue to benefit from and get inspiration from the scenic beauty and history of Gettysburg National Military Park.



Last updated: May 3, 2021

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