National Parks Caught in the Crosshairs of Government Shutdown
As the federal government shutdown enters its fourth day, several national parks have been forced to close or operate under reduced staffing, leaving tourists and park enthusiasts scrambling for information on which sites remain open.
The National Park Service (NPS) has struggled to provide clear guidance on which parks are affected, with a notice on their website stating that "national parks remain as accessible as possible during the federal government shutdown," but also warning that "some services may be limited or unavailable." The lack of a unified plan across all parks has sparked confusion among visitors and local businesses.
"We're doing our best to keep the park open, but it's getting harder by the day," said a spokesperson for Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. "We're relying on donations from visitors to keep the lights on, but we can't sustain this for much longer."
The shutdown has also had a significant impact on local economies that rely heavily on tourism. In Utah, park officials have reported a 50% decline in visitor numbers since the shutdown began.
"This is not just about national parks; it's about the people who work here and the communities that depend on these sites," said U.S. Representative Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), who has been critical of the Republican-led Congress for failing to pass a budget agreement. "We need to find a way to fund our government and get these parks back up and running."
The shutdown is the result of a partisan impasse over funding for border security and other issues. While Democrats have refused to support any spending bill that does not include protections for Dreamers, Republicans have insisted on including funding for a border wall.
As the standoff continues, park officials are bracing themselves for the worst. "We're doing everything we can to keep the park open, but if this shutdown doesn't end soon, we'll be forced to close our gates and lay off staff," said a spokesperson for Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming.
The NPS has estimated that the shutdown will cost the agency around $100 million per day in lost revenue. With no clear resolution in sight, it remains to be seen how long this crisis will last.
In the meantime, park visitors are advised to check the NPS website or contact individual parks directly for up-to-date information on hours of operation and available services.
*Reporting by Npr.*
