National parks caught in the crosshairs of government shutdown

"As Congress remains at an impasse on an agreement to fund government operations, several sites under the National Park Service (NPS) have brought their operations to a halt. Across the country, parks have been forced to close, operate under reduced staffing or rely on outside donations to keep the lights on as the shutdown stretches into its fourth day."

""National parks remain as accessible as possible during the federal government shutdown," a notice on the NPS website reads. "However, some services may be limited or unavailable," it continues, with a link directing readers to a site with contingency plans outlining how funds would be appropriated during the shutdown."

""As part of their orderly shutdown activities, park staff will post signs notifying visitors that only basic or no visitor services, maintenance, or other management activities will be conducted, and emergency services will be limited," according to the plan."

Federal government funding impasse has forced many National Park Service sites to close, reduce staffing, or rely on outside donations, disrupting visitor services nationwide. Park roads, lookouts, and trails will generally remain accessible, but routine updates, maintenance, and emergency services may be limited or unavailable. Park staff will post signs indicating that only basic or no visitor services and maintenance will occur. Some fee-collecting locations may still support restroom upkeep, trash collection, and road maintenance, while other locations will suspend trash collection, restroom availability, and visitor information. States and private donations are providing partial relief in some areas.

Read at www.npr.org