Superintendent Chas Cartwright has announced the creation of the Shenandoah Neighbors’ Day to celebrate park neighbors. On June 21, 2008, the park will waive entrance fees for those residents living in counties adjoining the park including Albemarle, Augusta, Greene, Madison, Page, Rappahannock, Rockingham and Warren.

The park plans to celebrate Shenandoah Neighbors’ Day as an annual event on the third Saturday of each June. Visitors wishing to take advantage of this fee free day will be required to show proof of residency by showing their Virginia driver’s license.

Cartwright says, “At a time when people are less connected to nature and under more daily stress, we were looking for a way to both reconnect our park neighbors to our resources and create closer relationships with them. Shenandoah Neighbors’ Day is meant to extend an open invitation to use the park and celebrate our park neighbors. We’re looking forward to everyone in our adjoining counties coming out to enjoy a day in the park.”

Shenandoah National Park’s partners, ARAMARK Parks & Resorts and the Shenandoah National Park Association plan to participate in welcoming park neighbors by providing discounts to residents of the eight counties.

ARAMRAK, the park’s official concessioner, plans to provide a ten-percent discount in their retail stores on purchases over $35.00, a ten-percent discount on lunch items at all their restaurants, and discounts on pony rides.

The Shenandoah National Park Association, which supports the interpretive and educational activities of Shenandoah National Park, will offer a ten-percent discount on all items in their bookstores located in the Dickey Ridge and Byrd Visitor Centers.

For more information about planning a trip to Shenandoah National Park or for information about park activities go online or call the park at (540) 999-3500.