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Reader Participation Day: Should National Parks Be Closed Or Kept Open During Government Shutdowns?

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Published Date

January 30, 2019
Vandals cut down this Joshua tree in Joshua Tree National Park/NPS

Joshua Tree National Park officials said February 1 that this downed Joshua tree had been cut down prior to the recent partial government shutdown/NPS

Going back to 2013, we've now had two rather lengthy government shutdowns. In 2013, the National Park System was closed to the public, while this time around the parks were for the most part kept open. Which do you believe is the better approach?

The 2013 shutdown raised quite a bit of consternation, and some vandalism, and this year's shutdown raised quite a bit of consternation, and some vandalism. Indeed, the spectre of a downed Joshua tree this month could be seen as the sad emblem of this year's shutdown.

If you were in charge, would you order the parks closed, no matter the season, or keep the gates open and deal with the consequences?

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Comments

Submitted by Mallory on January 30, 2019 - 11:38am.

absolutely closed


Submitted by Lolo on January 30, 2019 - 12:22pm.

sad to close them, but we need to close them so they don't get trashed!


Submitted by Maxine Sykes on January 30, 2019 - 12:49pm.

All parks should be closed 


Submitted by Jenni on January 30, 2019 - 1:07pm.

I feel the Parks should be closed when there is no one there to maintain them or protect them. As mentioned by others, the general public does not adhere to the rules of the parks, as I see many people do even when they are fully staffed. I am a public school teacher so to me, having them open without any staff there is liking sending my students to school with no teachers or staff present. It's not safe. 


Submitted by Maria Bryant on January 30, 2019 - 1:08pm.

The NPS in its entirety should be closed during governmeant shut downs.


Submitted by y_p_w on January 30, 2019 - 2:05pm.

Keeping them open during the shutdown was a political stunt and a gift to the local businesses that rely on tourist dollars.  Sure there were some cases where people pitched in, but that's no way to run a government entity.


Submitted by Sarah L on January 30, 2019 - 2:34pm.

Parks, when there is a government shutdown and not adequate staff to protect them, should be closed as well. 


Submitted by Anne Spenner on January 30, 2019 - 4:07pm.

I think the recent experiences of vandalism and disrespect in the national parks during the shutdown pretty much answers your question. When there are so many people who are incapable of respecting the parks, these ignorant miscreants can't be trusted to do the right thing. Close the parks during a shutdown! To leave them open at this time has been proven a stupid decision. 


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