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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 Bill Brakebill on January 31, 2019 - 1:26pm.

National Parks should be closed during government shutdowns. They need to be protected from irresponsible tourists even at the expense of those trying to be responsible. Leaving the parks open is simply a ploy to take off criticism from those manipulating the shutdown. Our parks are a national treasure that should be protected from politics. Unfortunately that was not the case in this last shutdown 


Submitted by Rick B. on January 31, 2019 - 3:35pm.

Y'all are arguing about points [1], [2], and [3], ignoring point [0] --- do NOT shut down the government.


Submitted by Beverly Beal on January 31, 2019 - 3:46pm.

I seem to be in the minority.  As I have planned many vacations around visiting many of our National Parks:  I say it is not fair to us citizens to close OUR parks.  The Friends of National Parks did a great job at Volcano National Park in January 2019 keeping the park open and clean.  (The volunteers were paid by The Friends of National Parks). A very good place to give your money friends. Also people:  PACK IT IN PACK IT OUT.  KEEP OUR PARKS CLEAN.  


Submitted by McKinley Villager on January 31, 2019 - 4:36pm.

Rick B - or, readers are directly answering the question posed at the end of the article.  A whole lot of us agree with your point [0], but that's not within the power of anyone at DOI nor NPS.  Fortunately, at least a few in congress are starting to address your point.


Submitted by Dan Blake on January 31, 2019 - 7:29pm.

Is there really any doubt at this point that the answer has to be CLOSED ?!!!?


Submitted by Henry Coleman on February 1, 2019 - 8:20am.

I think it is clear that leaving the parks open and without sufficient staff was a fateful decision that will have a long lasting impact on the parks and ecosystems. People have shown that they are not mature enough to be in the parks without supervision. So, no.


Submitted by Sunny Jay on February 2, 2019 - 8:19am.

Close them. You cannot rely on people to do the right thing by cleaning up after themselves, trespassing in areas barred from use (hearing me ATV users?) vandalizing and otherwise destroying sensitive areas. Our parks deserve better.


Submitted by Ruth on February 2, 2019 - 9:51am.

Obviously we as a society aren't resonsible enough to have low or unstaffed National Parks. Sadly, I feel they should be closed during shutdowns. 


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