National Parks Told to Remain Open During Shutdown Despite Risks

The National Park Service has been instructed to keep national parks open during the current government shutdown, despite the risks to the parks and visitor safety. This decision comes despite the damage done to sites during the previous government shutdown in 2018, when parks remained open without the necessary staff and resources. The directive from the Trump administration aims to minimize the public impact of the shutdown, but it has raised concerns among park advocates and former officials. They argue that the parks lack the personnel to properly maintain and secure the sites, leading to potential damage and safety issues for visitors. The National Park Service has been forced to rely on limited staff and volunteer efforts to provide basic services, with many facilities and services remaining closed. This raises the possibility of further degradation and destruction of the parks' natural and cultural resources during the shutdown.