Protecting Holiday Access to Our Public Lands

In late 2025, the Department of the Interior released its no-fee schedule for 2026, which omitted Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth from the list of federal holidays when entrance fees are waived at National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Refuge sites. Federal holidays have long provided important opportunities for families and communities to access and enjoy public lands. The omission of these days raises concerns about affordability and equitable access—particularly for communities that have historically faced barriers to connecting with national parks and refuges.

ASLA supports legislation to correct this policy gap. H.R. 6603 the Our Parks Act, introduced by U.S. Representatives Ritchie Torres (D-NY) and Yvette Clarke (D-NY), would ensure that entrance fees are waived at National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Refuge sites on all federal holidays, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth. The legislation restores a consistent and inclusive approach to public access and affirms that federal holidays should remain shared civic moments for experiencing public lands. 

Landscape architects play a central role in planning, designing, and stewarding parks, refuges, and public landscapes nationwide, working closely with federal land management agencies to enhance visitor experiences, strengthen landscape resilience, and expand equitable access to outdoor spaces. Ensuring that cost is not a barrier on federal holidays directly supports these objectives.

ASLA has activated the iAdvocate Network to support H.R. 6603 and is urging members to contact their respective members of Congress to encourage co-sponsorship of the Our Parks Act. ASLA member engagement is essential to advancing this legislation and reinforcing the importance of keeping our outdoor spaces welcoming and accessible to all. ASLA’s iAdvocate campaign for the Our Parks Act is available here, where members can take action in support of the legislation.