In brief
The current government shutdown has led to furloughs affecting around two-thirds of National Park Service employees, impacting the accessibility of many iconic sites across the United States. While some parks, including the Statue of Liberty, remain accessible to visitors, others, like the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, are closed off. With insufficient staffing, park operations have been scaled down severely, raising concerns about the preservation of vital resources during this time. Community economies that rely on tourism to these sites may face significant hits, prompting discussions on how states can assist in keeping parks operational.
NEW YORK (AP) — Tourist cruises to the Statue of Liberty were operating normally on Wednesday morning, despite the ongoing government shutdown that has led to the furlough of about two-thirds of the National Park Service employees. However, in Philadelphia, visitors hoping to see the Liberty Bell were turned away at the entrance of Independence Mall, only able to glimpse it from behind glass.
The National Park Service's contingency plan indicates that while park roads, lookouts, and memorials may remain open, staffing shortages could lead to the closure of certain areas if damage occurs or if trash accumulates due to lack of maintenance. Limited information on park accessibility has resulted in visitor confusion around locations like Chaco Culture National Historical Park and Rocky Mountain National Park.
Almost 9,300 park employees are affected by the shutdown furloughs, leaving only limited services available to ensure public safety and protect property. In Mississippi, Vicksburg National Military Park is closed, with local groups exploring possible funding arrangements to reopen. Other parks, like Maine's Acadia National Park, lack rangers and visitor resources, showing signs of strain from reduced staffing.
The scale of service cuts raises concerns similar to those seen during previous shutdowns, where the National Park Service experienced vandalism and resource damage when open with limited staff. A group of 40 former superintendents has requested that parks should be closed during shutdowns to avoid further damage.
Previous shutdowns, such as one in 2013, saw billions in losses from decreased tourism and affected communities surrounding these parks. In response to the current situation, some states are considering donations to keep parks operational, similar to past efforts where states like Utah contributed to maintain services.
