The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, is participating in the Every Kid in a Park program, a presidential initiative that was announced by the Obama Administration on September 2. The program is part of the President’s commitment to protect our nation’s unique outdoor spaces and ensure that every American has the opportunity to visit and enjoy them.

Starting this month, fourth graders nationwide can visit the new Every Kid in a Park website to obtain a pass that provides free access to students and their families to all federally managed lands and waters – including national parks, forests, wildlife refuges and marine sanctuaries. The pass is valid through August 31, 2016 and grants free entry for fourth graders and three accompanying adults (or an entire car for drive-in parks) at more than 2,000 federally-managed sites.

The Rock Island District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has more than 65 recreation sites throughout its boundaries. Passes will be available at all lake project offices including Coralville Lake, Saylorville Lake and Lake Red Rock as well as the ranger stations and visitor centers along the Mississippi River and Illinois Waterway. Access to the Corps parks in the District is free but the pass is still useful for items like day use fees for boat ramps and beach use.

To obtain a pass, fourth graders can log onto the website at www.everykidinapark.gov and complete a fun educational activity that will allow them to print a paper pass. The paper pass can then be taken to any participating federal site nationwide and exchanged for a more durable plastic card.

For more information, you can visit www.everykidinapark.gov.

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