Shutdown won’t close National Parks

National Parks and other federal public land would for the most part remain open in the event of a government shutdown, according to Department of Interior spokeswoman Heather Swift.

“We fully expect the government to remain open, however in the event of a shutdown, National Parks and other public lands will remain as accessible as possible while still following all applicable laws and procedures,” Swift wrote in a statement.

Locally, the visitor centers at Point Park and Chickamauga would be closed because they require staffing.

“Most of our park roads and trails will remain open,” park superintendent Brad Bennett said. “However, features that require staff will be closed.”

Park closures became a central public issue during the 2013 government shutdown under the Obama administration. Workers reported to help perform operations such as locking gates, putting steel bands around portable toilets and removing handles from water fountains. Barricades were placed around memorials, and veterans who had traveled to see monuments were kept out. Federal employees want to ensure that does not happen again.

“The American public and especially our veterans who come to our nation’s capital should find war memorials and open-air parks open to the public,” Swift wrote in a statement. “Additionally many of our National Parks, refuges and other public lands will still try to allow limited access wherever possible.”

Services that require staffing and maintenance such as campgrounds, full-service restrooms and concessions will not be operating during a shutdown. Areas with culturally sensitive or potentially dangerous backcountry areas might have restricted access, Swift wrote.

State parks would be unaffected by a government shutdown.