GDG- Gettysburg battlefield to install 'smart' parking - WTOP Mobile

[Margaret D. Blough]

Dennis-The old VC & Cyclo Center parking lots were never that large to begin with. Once Spring interpretative season began, parking was hopeless if you didn't get there VERY early or near closing. I couldn't get into the old VC lot until I had a HP placard. The rest of the lot was limited to buses and RVs. It was iffy at best to get a spot in the Cyclo lot during that part of the year. I generally skipped going to the VC or I parked across the street or, during muster, stayed at the Quality Inn. If you found a spot in either lot, you didn't move your car since, if once you did, someone would be in it if before the parking lot was out of your rear view mirror. 


We take for granted what the Gettysburg battlefield looks like now but what we see is the result of hard-fought struggles to reclaim the battlefield from development. At what point should we stop at paving over the battlefield in the name of convenience? What is so awful about a shuttle system anyhow. A shuttle system has been used for years in Harpers Ferry since that historic town simply can't handle any significant number of cars. I've seen the sign system of what lots are full and what are open combined with shuttles used at the Farm Show in Harrisburg. 



As it is, no one is stopping someone from driving through the battlefield and stopping at various points. I haven't seen that come up as a serious issue. If anything there was more interest in a shuttle stopping in the battlefield so one could walk from Point A to Point B and not worry about getting back to a car parked at Point A. The issue throughout has primarily been parking at the VC, and getting people to visit the part of the battlefield outside of GNMP limits. Unless someone is a formidable enough hiker that parking in the satellite lots won't be a problem, even if you park on the old VC & Cyclo Center parking lots, your question of how people will get around won't change. Yes, those two locations help if your objective is the High Water Mark but it does squat for almost all of the first day's battlefield and much of the remaining two days as well. 
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dennis Lawrence" <denlaw at gojade.org> 
To: "GDG" <gettysburg at arthes.com> 
Sent: Saturday, January 28, 2012 5:32:43 PM 
Subject: Re: GDG- Gettysburg battlefield to install 'smart' parking - WTOP Mobile 

Esteemed GDG Member Contributes: 
Once the lots reach capacity, the system will activate electronic 
message signs installed along U.S. 15 to direct drivers to an 
overflow parking area at The Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg. Visitors 
will be directed to The Outlet Shoppes only after additional lots 
fill along Taneytown Road near the National Cemetery. From The Outlet 
Shoppes, Freedom Transit buses will offer free shuttles to the visitor center. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 

Hello, 

And what will they do when they get there? ? If their car is in 
the outlet mall, how will they get around? 

The parking lots on Taneytown Road by the destroyed historic VC and 
the Neutra Memorial Architecture Center are needed, and shouldn't be 
torn up to present a Faux restoration of the field. 

In great fields, something abides, but not after decade of earth 
moving and asphalt. Its gone forever. Get over it an let me park. 

The destruction of parking spots will lead to a parking crisis 
that will be one of the excuses to eventually ban cars, and and 
we will all be standing in line waiting for shuttles. 
Dennis 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 
Bus stop, wet day, she's there waiting I say 
Please share my umbrella 
Bus stops, bus goes, we stay, line grows 
Waiting to see the Wheatfield.... 
> 



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