By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

Oak Mountain State Park will join Alabama’s other state parks in honoring America’s veterans on Saturday, Nov. 10 and Sunday, Nov. 11 as part of a pre-Veterans Day program.

Anyone who indicates they are a veteran will be able to enter the park for free those two days, no identification required, read an Alabama State Parks press release.

Day use fees for OMSP are usually $3 for adults and $1 for children ages 6-11 and senior citizens 62 years old and older. The park is open daily from 7 a.m.-sundown.

“We are deeply grateful to our veterans for their selfless service to the country,” said Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Commissioner N. Gunter Guy Jr. “This is a small tribute to those who have given us the freedom we enjoy.”

Alabama State Parks Director Greg Lein said the state decided to offer free admission to veterans to honor the military’s historical involvement with the state park system.

“Many of our historic park leadership benefited from the military experience associated with our veterans,” Lein said. “Our parks and public lands are places for reflection and serenity, and they stand as a tribute to those who have served our great nation.”

Lein said many of Alabama’s state parks were developed with the help of the Civilian Conservation Corps, which employed many veterans.

OMSP, a nearly 10,000-acre park off John Findley Drive in Pelham, offers miles of hiking and biking trails, a golf course and much more. For more information on the park, visit Alapark.com/oakmountain.