Gettysburg National Military Park Is Modifying Operations To Comply with Green Phase
Gettysburg, PA – Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Gettysburg National Military Park is increasing 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 June 12, 2020, Gettysburg National Military Park, in response to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s move to Phase Green for Adams County, will continue to allow Licensed Battlefield Guide operations, commercial operators, and special park uses. Licensed Battlefield Guides, permits, and special park uses are to comply with state reopening guidance and public health guidance which include limiting gatherings to less than 250 people and maintaining social distancing. Park Rangers will provide informal interpretation services through intermittent roves, or visits, to different areas of the battlefield. Public restrooms will begin to reopen throughout the battlefield. Portable toilets are also available throughout the battlefield (see map below) at the following ten locations:
1. 10 at McMillan Woods Campground
2. 1 at Weikert Farm
3. 6 at the Park Amphitheater
4. 1 at Slyder Farm
5. 2 at Big Round Top Parking area
6. 2 at Wheatfield Road near Little Round Top
7. 2 at the PA Monument
8. 2 at the South End Comfort Station
9. 2 at the West End Guide Station
10. 1 at the National Cemetery Comfort Station.
· The Museum and Visitor Center will remain closed while operational plans are developed to ensure compliance with public health guidance and operational and engineered controls. We are adopting a phased in plan for re-opening, and an announcement detailing our plans and reopen date will be forthcoming.
· Interpretive programs with Park Rangers will not be offered and the Eisenhower Home and Reception Center remain closed. There is no public parking available at Eisenhower NHS.
· The David Wills House, observation towers, and the Pennsylvania Memorial observation level remain closed.
· Gettysburg NMP grounds, roads, trails, and parking areas remain open to the public. Park gates will be opened and closed at their normal times. Formal, scheduled interpretive programs with Park Rangers may be offered in the future where gatherings can be kept under 250 people.
· The 157th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg will be comprised of a series of free VIRTUAL guided walks and talks that discuss, explore, and reflect on this important chapter in our nation’s history. Further details will be released soon.
The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site, 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, volunteers, and partners.
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 for Pennsylvania State Phase Green, 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.
We have amazing virtual tours of Gettysburg NMP and Eisenhower NHS available on our web site for people who are still home schooling or not traveling at this time.
· Eisenhower NHS Virtual Tour
Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on our website at https://www.nps.gov/gett/index.htmand social media channels. Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.