Wilmington District preparing for possible October 10 closures of USACE-operated campgrounds and day-use parks

WILMINGTON, NC – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Wilmington District, is preparing for the closure of its Corps-managed campgrounds and day-use parks beginning Thursday, October 10, unless fiscal 2014 funding legislation is enacted by Congress. This will have no effect on leased recreation areas operated by state or local entities.

 Affected recreation areas would not reopen until after the shutdown is lifted.  Wilmington District’s day-use facilities at John H. Kerr Reservoir, Philpott Lake, B. Everett Jordan Dam and Lake, Falls Lake, W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir and Cape Fear Locks and Dams will close by 8 p.m. on Thursday and all campers must vacate the campgrounds by noon on Friday, Oct. 11.  Campers with reservations in the future may elect to leave their campsite reservations open for possible use after the shutdown is lifted. Campers will receive a refund for any unused portion of their reservations.

 Visitors are encouraged to contact their local park office for information on other nearby facilities that may be available for recreational use.

 “We understand the impacts these closure actions will have on the American public who count on using our recreation areas,” said Colonel Steven Baker, Wilmington District Commander.  “We know that many families are repeat visitors at our lakes and campgrounds in Virginia and North Carolina, and we will reopen them for public use as quickly as possible once the government shutdown is lifted.”

 Customers scheduled to arrive while the potential shutdown is in effect may cancel their reservations for a full refund. These customers may also elect to leave reservations open for possible use after the shutdown is lifted and request a refund for any unused portion of their reservation due to the shutdown. To request a refund please contact the reservation customer service at 1-888-448-1474 (TDD 1-877-833-6777).  The reservation service will automatically cancel reservations after a customer’s scheduled departure date during the shutdown period if the park is closed and the customer chooses to do nothing.