In brief
The ongoing government shutdown has led to significant impacts on national parks across the U.S. While some locations, such as the Statue of Liberty, remain open to tourists, others like the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia are locked down, frustrating visitors. The National Park Service's contingency plan outlines that access to park roads and memorials may continue, but with severely reduced staff, many locations face closures or limited services. For instance, Vicksburg National Military Park in Mississippi has closed, while Acadia National Park in Maine is left without any available rangers. Questions among visitors regarding permits and accessibility remain prevalent as detailed information from the government is sparse.
NEW YORK (AP) — Crowds of people loaded onto boats to tour the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Wednesday morning with no immediate signs of the government shutdown affecting around two-thirds of National Park Service employees.
In Philadelphia, tourists hoping to visit the Liberty Bell on Independence Mall were turned away, with only the option to glimpse at it through a glass pavilion.
A contingency plan released by the Park Service indicated that while park roads and memorials would generally be accessible, sharply reduced staffing could lead to closures of areas lacking proper maintenance. Parks currently open could close if resource damage occurs or waste accumulates.
Limited communication has left many asking if their camping permits remain valid at parks like Chaco Culture in New Mexico or if Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado would be accessible.
The furlough of almost 9,300 park employees means ongoing parks can only provide limited services, primarily concerning safety and property protection.
The plan has not outlined which of the over 400 sites are deemed inaccessible. AP has sought further clarification from the National Park Service.
In states like Mississippi, the popular Vicksburg National Military Park is completely closed. Meanwhile, at Acadia National Park in Maine, the empty visitor centers left hikers without guidance.
The plan did allow parks to seek agreements with local governments and organizations to receive funding and keep operations running, reminiscent of previous shutdowns in 2013 and during the Trump administration.
Amid these restrictions, the public continues to express their concerns and seek clarity from official channels.
