The Gettysburg Foundation has changed the accessibility of some parking spaces at the new Visitors Center. Included in this change are many more handicapped spaces in Lot #1. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 11:15 AM on Sunday, April 3, 2011.

The new handicapped spots are in Lot #1, in the parking section closest to the Visitors Center. This view was taken facing east at approximately 11:15 AM on Sunday, April 3, 2011.

Since the building opened three years ago, there was always handicapped parking on the north side of this parking section. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 11:15 AM on Sunday, April 3, 2011.

Now there are handicapped parking spaces on the south side of this parking section increasing the number of spaces from 14 to 32. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 11:15 AM on Sunday, April 3, 2011.

Keep in mind that if you do park in one of these spaces… This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 11:15 AM on Sunday, April 3, 2011.

…it is still a long way to the front door of the Visitors Center. This view was taken facing north at approximately 11:15 AM on Sunday, April 3, 2011.

If you have someone in your party who has difficulty moving, then drop them off at the building. The gray/silver car in the right background is entering the Visitors Center complex from the Baltimore Pike. If they needed to drop someone with a physical disability off at the front door, they would take a right on the other side of the stop sign. This view was taken facing north at approximately 11:15 AM on Sunday, April 3, 2011.

This is the bus entrance, and the entrance for dropping off visitors with physical disabilities. This view was taken facing north at approximately 11:15 AM on Sunday, April 3, 2011.

If you’re dropping your visitors off, make sure that you stay in the right lane. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 11:15 AM on Sunday, April 3, 2011.

As you can tell, this section was newly paved a couple of weeks ago. This image was taken facing northwest at approximately 11:15 AM on Sunday, April 3, 2011.

Remember if you’re dropping off, you would be on the other side of the stone wall where the red bus is located. Your goal is to make it to the gray rock section on the far left. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 11:15 AM on Sunday, April 3, 2011.

But there’s a problem. The red bus is now parked in the handicapped drop off location. Why? This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 11:15 AM on Sunday, April 3, 2011.

Because this sign informs the bus drivers to pull forward. This view was taken facing south at approximately 11:15 AM on Sunday, April 3, 2011.

The bus driver is doing what he thinks he’s supposed to be doing. Unfortunately, his bus is blocking the handicap drop off area. The sign is in front of the bus. This view was taken facing south at approximately 11:15 AM on Sunday, April 3, 2011.

Parking, or the lack thereof, has become very interesting in Lot #2. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 11:15 AM on Sunday, April 3, 2011.

There is essentially one parking section left for “regular” visitors. That would be this section closest to the road and which contains approximately 20 spaces. This view was taken facing west at approximately 11:15 AM on Sunday, April 3, 2011.

The middle section is now for visitors who are more environmentally conscious than other visitors to Gettysburg National Military Park. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 11:15 AM on Sunday, April 3, 2011.

Last year the “green” parking spaces were in Lot #2 and Lot #1, but nobody paid any attention to them. This view was taken facing west at approximately 11:15 AM on Sunday, April 3, 2011.

Now these signs at either end of the parking bay clearly define this section. This view was taken facing west at approximately 11:15 AM on Sunday, April 3, 2011.

A memo from the Gettysburg Foundation received by the Licensed Battlefield Guides last week states: “Any visitor or staff can park in these spaces any time of the year if the vehicle they are parking meets the following criteria:” This image was taken facing north at approximately 11:15 AM on Sunday, April 3, 2011.

“Green vehicles are alternately fueled vehicles and include: hybrids, fuel-cell, electric, flex-fuel, ethanol, natural gas and bio-diesel powered vehicles.” This view was taken facing north at approximately 11:15 AM on Sunday, April 3, 2011.

We are looking forward to seeing how visitors react in the very busy summer months when parking is at a premium, and if they don’t have one of the acceptable “green” vehicles. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 11:15 AM on Sunday, April 3, 2011.

The bay closest to the visitors center in Lot #2 is reserved for vehicles with special permits, and has been since soon after the building opened. This view was taken facing west at approximately 11:15 AM on Sunday, April 3, 2011.

If you can’t find a parking spot in Lot #1 this summer… This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 11:15 AM on Sunday, April 3, 2011.

…you’ll probably be tempted to drive into the bus parking area. This view was taken facing east at approximately 11:15 AM on Sunday, April 3, 2011.

It is usually full of buses in the spring, but not as many buses in the summer. The Visitors Center is in the left background. This view was taken facing north at approximately 11:15 AM on Sunday, April 3, 2011.

Or hopefully there will still be some spaces left this summer in Lot #3 (with all the other polluters) and you can hike to the Visitors Center from here. This view was taken facing east at approximately 11:15 AM on Sunday, April 3, 2011.