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Reader Participation Day: Does Low Visitation Justify A National Park?

Apr 6th - 20:02pm | Bruce

Does Low Visitation Justify [Closing] A National Park?  No.  Not ever. Let me give you an example from Bob's quiz: (Q). The largest natural open space in America's most populous city is in a national park. Identify the national park and the natural open space.

Apr 6th - 18:38pm | rdm24

Do you actually have to step foot into a park for a visit to count? If you drive up Highway 1 to enjoy the scenery north of San Francisco, aren't you essentially "visiting" Point Reyes National Seashore? What about the millions of people in New York and New Jersey catch a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty every single day?

Apr 6th - 14:50pm | y_p_w

Not sure about the Muir Woods example as truly describing their budget situation.  They are part of Golden Gate NRA, so I would think their budgets would be better described they were merged.

Apr 6th - 14:22pm | Kim Kohl

There is a way to preserve National Parks that are proving to be too costly as well as low visitation: allow them to revert to National Monument status. Or something like the Artic Wilderness Reserve. Fewer staff, low operating expenses and a good deal for freedom to roam about on wild and scenic lands.

Apr 6th - 11:54am | Lawrence J. Caldwell

I'm one of those 700,000 fortunate residents within the Pinelands National Reserve (http://www.nps.gov/pine/index.htm).  By the numbers (http://www.nps.gov/state/nj/index.htm?program=pa

Apr 6th - 11:50am | richp39

Cost per visitor is really just one (very small) factor in the equation. BTW, does anyone know the cost pervisitor at the White House? I'll bet it tops the list.

Apr 6th - 11:35am | Rick B.

Looking at it from another direction, I like to adopt as an axiom that there was a thorough vetting and discussion process prior to the establishment of a national park unit.

Apr 6th - 11:12am | politicsguy

The parks are not a popularity contest. They were established to protect unique sites - and if Americans cannot be bothered to visit, so be it. Personally, I've been to the least visited sites, some more than once, and they are treasures. Protection is the strategy, not popularity.And since when has a government entity ever been assessed by its cost/benefit ratio anyway?

Apr 6th - 10:38am | Chris

Laura said: "Perhaps the discussion should be why these sites get low visitation - and what that means." Serious consideration should be given to the national park system, yes.  Should all low-visitation park automatically be closed?  Not necessarily.  But there are certainly many parks in the system that get low visitation and are perhaps not on par with the "crown jewel" parks.

Apr 6th - 09:35am | Ranger Bill

If you were in the hospital, would you want the decision of whether you lived or dies to be made based on how many freinds you have? That's what this whole story implies.

Apr 6th - 09:22am | MikeD

Anonymous is off the mark.  "Cost per visitor" is a red herring.  The national parks exist for more reasons than to simply be visited by people.  There's an Alaska unit that gets very few visitors per year, but I wouldn't say that means we shouldn't protect it.  Likewise there's a unit in Texas that has low visitation (and one in Arizona that is off limits) but because neither of these have big

Apr 6th - 09:04am | Anonymous

I would be so sad to see our low visitation parks closed. We've visited a good number of them and they are very special places! We visited Nicodemus last year. The town felt like a ghost town! However, we really took our time in the visitors center, watched all the movies they offered, read all the information, etc and then drove around the town. I left there very touched.

Apr 6th - 08:49am | Laura Illige Harvey

Why is visitation the only criteria given in this discussion?  How about significance of the site, fragility of the resources, importance of the story to civic discourse? Perhaps the discussion should be why these sites get low visitation - and what that means.

Apr 6th - 08:41am | ecbuck

Perhaps the question isn't should the park exist, its should we be spending $4.6 million on it.  Parks can exist without massive expenditures - especially if there is low visitation.

Apr 6th - 07:54am | Anonymous

Here are examples of two of the most extreme cases: Muir Woods National Monument: 2010 Budget $463,000.  2010 Visitation: 781,609. Cost per visitor: 59 cents.   Isle Royale National Park: 2010 budget $4,593,000. 2010 Visitation: 14,038. Cost per visitor: $327.18

Piping Plover Production Up At Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Apr 6th - 19:43pm | Crotalus

Sam There were no bird signs at the end of the 1000 meters. Only brown no ORV signs.  And the truth always matters.

Apr 6th - 17:41pm | samsdad

Crot  not only are you late as usual but also wrong. Please go back and read the signs (not assume but READ) again and not matter how you count or where the fact is that less than 50% is all we got!!!!

Apr 6th - 15:49pm | Crotalus

Matt, The majority of the chicks which were lost, were in one location - Ocracoke. Hatteras had 7 pair, fledged 15 chicks and lost seven chicks. Ocarcoke had 6 pair and lost 11 chicks (and four nests). Out of the six historic nesting locations, all of the productivity came from - one.

Apr 6th - 12:57pm | However

Responsible driver,

Apr 6th - 08:11am | Responsible driver

ORVs are driven by people like me, and we do not run roughshod over the beach and kill plovers.  Not any species.  Yes, plover chicks will hide in tire tracks, which is enough reason for protecting their nests with seasonal closures  ... within reason.  But rules designed to punish surfcasters, not simply to protect the plovers, are not reasonable.

A Guide To Help You Enjoy Your Visit to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore's Lighthouse

Apr 6th - 18:48pm | Debora Mosher

I live in Norfolk, Virginia and visit the outer banks at least 3-4 times a year.  My husband, John, and I enjoy the refreshing and beautiful scenery of Buxton and the surrounding areas as well as visiting the lighthouse and talking to the native families.  Finally, we can refresh ourselves with the facts and features of the lighthouse with this new pamphlet.  It will be the first item we buy on

National Parks' Closure Being Highlighted In Congressional Budget Impasse

Apr 6th - 18:41pm | rdm24

And maybe kids will teach themselves if we close the schools.

Apr 6th - 18:35pm | rdm24

You assume that park closure goes along with park maintenance. Park closure means serious deterioration of facilities, poaching, vandalism, and lots of other unsupervised activities by people undaunted (even encouraged by) a "No Tresspassing" sign. The parks they close today are sure to be in better shape than the parks they reopen tomorrow.

Apr 6th - 17:52pm | urbanmountainman

...and how would the Parks be better if the NPS wasn't involved? 

Apr 6th - 17:40pm | ParkLover

Although I would hate to see them close, if it's necessary to help balance the budget, go for it.  Even if the gates are closed, the trails should still be accessible and may actually be better since the government is not involved.

Apr 6th - 15:47pm | Anonymous

Of course they are using the National Parks as examples.  They are one of the few non-essential government 'services' that people would miss.

Apr 6th - 13:48pm | Anonymous

[color=black][color=#800080]http://ponderingpenguin.blogspot.com/2011/04/rep-markey-blames-gop-for-s...

Apr 6th - 13:36pm | samsdad1

" These forced closures could devastate the already fragile local economies of small communities which depend on national parks for tourism dollars." Since when did the NPS care about that? Remember the parks are here for future generations and I am sure they will open up for them whenever that is.

Rare Motion Pictures Show Civil War Veterans at the 75th Gettysburg Battle Anniversary Reunion

Apr 6th - 18:32pm | Joan

My husband, a Vietnam veteran of three tours, has always been fascinated and moved by anything regarding the Civil War.  Our trip several years ago to Gettysburg had him speechless with awe and a deep sense of discovery (something that is unusual for him!).  We hope to get back there soon.  Thank you to whoever posted these wonderful old films of the Civil War veterans~~~~one day, there will on

Summer Special: Visiting National Parks by Train

Apr 6th - 11:20am | Matt W

Thank you for putting this post together. I have started looking at options for summer trips west and stubled across the USA Rail Pass. It allows a traveler to travel as much as 8 segements for $389 (194.50 for children). http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer/Page/1241305460725/123740573...

Apr 5th - 12:29pm | Anonymous

Amtrak passes right through Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Or, you can transfer from Amtrak to the South Shore line in Chicago, Michigan City, or South Bend and the South Shore line has three stops in the park. Visitors from Europe often get to this park by train.

Civil War Flag, Dress Coat, and Sash To Go On Display at Gettysburg National Military Park

Apr 5th - 23:26pm | Stephanie Nicol...

Hello Ms. Mandia, Captain Isaac Nicoll was my Great Great Uncle. My grandparents are also buried in the cemetery with him. It would be fun to connect and compare family history.

Really Getting Away From It All: The Loneliest National Parks

Apr 5th - 19:55pm | imtnbke

So, is the solitude the result of folks not knowing what exists in their backyards, or because of society's sedentary nature?

Apr 5th - 16:40pm | Bob Janiskee

I'm envious, Rick. Don't tell anybody, but I haven't visited a single one of those least-visited parks.

Apr 5th - 13:51pm | Rick Smith

Bob-- I have been lucky enough to visit 5 of the listed "least-visited" NPS areas.   Their serenity and peacefulness as well as the quality of the preservation of their resources are largely due to their remoteness.

Apr 5th - 03:58am | Jill

Sand Creek Massacre is a very important site, that has only recently been made a part of the NPS.  Only a few years ago it was nearly inaccessible to the general public, as it was still privately owned ranch land.  Last summer I visited it for the first time and was surprised twice:  First, that the Colorado Visitor Center in eastern Colorado had only a vague idea of where it was located; and s

Apr 4th - 19:54pm | Anonymous

Always looking for a place of serenity and rich history!

Reader Participation Day: Should A Federal Budget Stalemate Lead To Closure of National Parks?

Apr 5th - 19:46pm | Caretaker

OK, here's my side. I am a 3rd year seasonal in maintenance for Kings Canyon National Park. I have a son in college, pay half of his costs, have my own household, and love the fact that I literally "Preserve and Protect" a wonderful treasure. I'M BROKE!!!! This job choice is not and never has been about the money.

April Fool's Story On Cape Hatteras Not Funny To All Readers

Apr 5th - 17:38pm | greg

For those that are not familiar with this issue of OVR use at Cape Hatteras. It is not dune buggies runing wild. It is families and fishermen using their four wheel drive vehicles to access the beach. There are very few access areas [ ramps] and the large majority of OVR users are very responsible. The beaches are cleaner than the public beaches which do not have vehicle access.

Apr 5th - 11:21am | amazed

"You and the “Free and Open Access” people are more offended by ORV restrictions than pedestrian restrictions just count the “Free and Open” bummer stickers on ORVs compared to street vehicles if you don’t want to admit it"

Apr 5th - 10:13am | Southern Shores !

Amazed, I’m not against ORV use in the Park.  I’m just against ORV use most everywhere in the Park with the exception of a few token reservations for the non-ORV accessing visitor.

Apr 5th - 08:49am | amazed

seriously SS! that is your perspective and you are against ORV's on the beaches. Good job on the freedom of speech usage. “Free and Open Access” is also for pedestrians. We are also being closed out of the park.

Apr 5th - 08:13am | SS !

From my perspective the economic hardships created by the Consent Decree that was issued by a Federal Judge that all the parties agreed to is overstated, visit the Food Lion on Hatteras Island in the summer, it is packed with people.

Apr 4th - 19:56pm | Reality Check

The thing with satire is that it's usually done by someone that's separated from the real life pain.  That's the part that enrages.  From the enforcers that are doing their jobs (they have jobs) directed by those detached from the grounding reality.  All, except those being effected are secure in their positions and for the most part detached and can't relate.

Four Ranger-Guided Backcountry Hikes Reveal More Of The Wonders At Mesa Verde National Park

Apr 5th - 13:04pm | cwbarnes

Just booked my tour to Yucca House in Sept. Cant wait!

Summer Special: Windshield Touring in the Western Parks

Apr 5th - 11:31am | YLA

Great List.  We did Glacier & Yellowstone last summer.  The Going to the Sun Road was incredible, and at Yellowstone The Canyon and Lower & Upper Falls are a must see.  Heading to Arches next month, so we will follow your advice for sure.

Summer Special: Paddling in the National Parks

Apr 5th - 02:10am | flyer5000

Drat my fat fingers on this mobile device. "Goosenecks", "Yampa".

Apr 4th - 18:47pm | tomp2

I agree with the vote for the San Juan River.  Part of my bucket list is to hike down Grand Gulch with an inflatable kayak, then float out the last 3 days to Lake Powell.

Trickle of Documents Highlights National Park Service's Mistakes In Hubbell Trading Post Investigation

Apr 4th - 19:51pm | Hank Blair

This important book etches a profile of the banality of evil. At its center is a National Park Service that has lost its moral compass. Corruption eats away at this once venerable institution because supposed guardians of the public interest instead pursue petty advantage and tolerate injustice.

Business Survey On Cape Hatteras National Seashore ORV Management Plan's Impacts Points to Uncertainty

Apr 4th - 17:32pm | Anonymous

Perhaps the NPS can learn a thing or two from the State of Delaware Parks.  SOME areas are restricted because of the birds, but there is always a place to surf fish 365 days a year.   Banning ORV would ruin the beach experience and destroy the tourism in certain resort areas. That, is just  bird-brained.

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