A U.S. senator from Virgina wants to more than triple the size of Petersburg National Battlefield by adding 7,200 acres to it, a move that would make Petersburg the largest military park in the country.

Do you know the difference between a parados and a banquette, or a bastion and a re-entrant? You'll get the answers during a special tour at Petersburg National Battlefield, which will explore military engineering and fortifications as they were employed during the siege of Petersburg.

Looking for a break from shopping, football, and end-of-year hustle and bustle? December is prime time for special programs and events in a number of parks. Here's a sampling in areas from coast to coast.