Resolution - Brief Article

In response to the attacks of September 11, Interior secretary Gale Norton challenged attendees of the NRPA annual congress in Denver to encourage local and state park and recreation agencies to waive all access fees over veteran's Day weekend in order to inspire "National Unity, Hope and Healing."

"This Veteran's Day weekend, I encourage all Americans to join together with family and friends to honor the victims of our recent tragedies along with veterans who protect our Nation's freedom and Democracy," said Norton. "And I urge everyone to take advantage of this special opportunity to visit our Nation's historic, cultural and natural treasures to reconnect with the values that have made this nation great."

NRPA has accepted this challenge, and encourages its members to reach out to individuals, families and groups to use public parks and recreation as a means of healing and reconnecting with one another. Every American can find some way to participate and touch the lives and hearts of their fellow Citizens. NRPA urges state and local agencies to undertake every possible action to encourage public use of parks over the veteran's Day weekend so that the American people can have the opportunity to heal side by side in some of the most beautiful and majestic places this country has to offer.