News Release

Homestead National Monument of America is Beginning to Extend Recreational Access to Heritage Center, Education Center, Palmer-Epard Cabin, and Freeman School

Date: June 12, 2020
Contact: Amy Genke, 402-223-3514

Homestead National Monument of America News Release

For Immediate Release
  
Homestead National Monument of America is Beginning to Extend Recreational Access to Heritage Center, Education Center, Palmer-Epard Cabin, and Freeman School

Beatrice, NE – Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Homestead National Monument of America 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 Friday, June 12, 2020, Homestead National Monument of America will extend hours from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday-Friday and 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Saturday-Sunday to:  

• Heritage Center
• Education Center
• Palmer-Epard Cabin
• Freeman School *available by request

The following spaces continue to be available from sunrise to sunset:   

• Exterior exhibits and grounds
• 3 miles of trails
• Picnic areas

Mark Engler, Park Superintendent, stated that “We are excited to welcome guests back to Homestead National Monument of America’s historic buildings. Both the Palmer-Epard Cabin and the Freeman School speak to the experiences of the homesteaders who created and used the structures.”
The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At Homestead National Monument of America, 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, 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 COVID-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.

Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on our website https://www.nps.gov/home/index.htm 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.