VNMP proposes fee increase

Published 11:00 am Friday, December 5, 2014

Vicksburg National Military Park will host a town hall meeting Tuesday to discuss a proposed increase in entrance fees and the park’s recently completed foundation document.

The meeting is 7 p.m. at the park Visitor Center, 3201 Clay St.

Under the proposal, the cost of an annual pass would increase from $20 to $30, and a vehicle pass would increase from $8 to $15.

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A per person pass would increase from $4 to $7, and a motorcycle pass would rise from $4 to $10.

“We are committed to keeping the park affordable but we will also want to provide visitors with the best possible experience,” Superintendent Michael Madell said. “The money from entrance fee is used to improve facilities, maintain infrastructure and enhance visitor services.”

Admission fees to the military park last increased nine years go, and the annual pass rate has not increased since 2004.

At least 80 percent of the entrance fees collected by the park stay in Vicksburg, Madell said.

Past projects funded though the fees include production of a visitor orientation film, rehabilitation of the park’s living history area and projects that make the park handicap accessible, he said.

“Additional revenue raised by a fee increase would be used for similar projects, such as developing exhibit plans for the historic Shirley House and Pemberton’s Headquarters,” Madell said in an email.

In 2013, the park had more than 573,000 visitors who contributed an estimated $31.6 million to the local economy.

Anyone who cannot attend the town hall meeting but would like to comment on the proposed fee increase can email comments to vick_superintendent@nps.gov, enter comments online at parkplanning.nps.gov or mail them to Superintendent, Vicksburg National Military Park, 3201 Clay St., Vicksburg MS 39183.

Comments must be received by Jan. 9.

Park staff will also present a report on the park’s new foundation document that establishes basic understanding of the park’s resources, values and history.

Work on the foundation document began in December 2013 with a public comment session at the visitor center.