LOCAL NATIONAL PARKS OPENING MAY 11

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE is opening a portion of these local parks, beginning May 11.

KENNESAW MOUNTAIN NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD PARK:

Beginning Monday, May 11, 2020, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park will reopen access to:
• All park trails
• The overflow parking lot, visitor center parking lot, Burnt Hickory road parking lot, Gilbert road parking area, Cheatham Hill drive, and Cheatham Hill road parking.
• In addition, entry fees are waived.

With public health in mind, the following facilities at KEMO remain closed at this time:
• Parking areas not listed above as open: These include the mountain top parking lot and horse trailer parking lot.
• Restroom facilities
• Visitor Center
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.

CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
Beginning Monday, May 11, 2020, Chattahoochee River NRA will reopen access to:•     All park trails and river access
•     The following parking areas – Abbotts, Medlock, Jones, two parking lots at Island Ford, Paces
Mill, Powers Island, Akers Mill, Interstate North and Johnson Ferry North
•     In addition, entry fees are waived

With public health in mind, the following facilities remain closed at this time:•     Parking areas not listed above as open
•     Comfort stations
•     Picnic areas, including shelters
•     Hewlett Lodge Visitor Center

“We welcome visitors back to the park to use the trails and river for recreation,” said Acting
Superintendent Ann Honious.  “Where parking areas remain closed or are full we ask visitors to
please park safely and legally, following all regulations, to assist in creating a safe visitor experience for all.”

Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on our website nps.gov/chat and social media channels. Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.

WHEN I WAS A KID

Being told to go outside and play wasn’t just to save your mom’s sanity, it was also a health benefit. Soaking up Vitamin D and fresh air both contributed to your health and growth of strong bones. Vitamin D contributes to the absorption of all the calcium you need and influences cell growth and IMUNE function. Strong sunlight triggers Vitamin D production in your skin. Bottom line, I believe we all need to be outside in the sunshine – Ten to 15 minutes of sunshine 3 times weekly is enough to produce the body’s requirement of vitamin D. The sun needs to shine on the skin of your face, arms, back, or legs (without sunscreen). PS sunscreen wasn’t even invented until 1986.