Government Shutdown Leaves Visitors Frustrated, Parks Vulnerable at Great Falls and Beyond
Visitors to several national parks in the Washington, DC, region, including Great Falls Park, expressed confusion and frustration due to the ongoing government shutdown. Despite the parks remaining partially open, many amenities and services are closed, leading to safety concerns and illegal entries.
On Friday, visitors to parks like Great Falls, Manassas National Battlefield Park, and Greenbelt Park found closed visitors' centers, inaccessible bathrooms, and few employees visible. This lack of services and poor communication left many frustrated. Despite the closed entrance and barricades, several visitors entered Great Falls Park illegally on Friday morning.
The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has expressed concern about visitor safety during the shutdown. Ed Stierli, the NPCA's Mid-Atlantic senior regional director, is particularly worried about Great Falls, especially with the pleasant weather drawing many visitors. Without national weather service updates and park rangers to guide and ensure safety, visitors may put themselves in danger, as seen in the case of climbing on rock formations atop cliffs over the river. The NPCA encourages people not to go to the parks during the shutdown to avoid risking safety and damaging the park. They believe national parks should be completely closed during the shutdown due to these safety concerns and potential damage.
While national parks remain partially open during the shutdown, the lack of services and staffing has led to visitor frustration and safety concerns. The National Parks Conservation Association urges visitors to stay away from the parks until normal operations resume, highlighting the importance of park rangers in ensuring visitor safety and preserving park resources.
