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As of the writing of this blog post, we are in day 15 of a partial government shutdown. While many parts of the government are still functioning, this shutdown directly impacts runners due to the shutdown of our National Parks Services (NPS). As a runner who lives near the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, I use it multiple times a week. This national park practically buts up to my house and is one of the main reasons my wife and I bought a house where we did.
To quote the NPS website, "The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world." Sadly, a lot of park rangers are working without pay or not working at all and our naturally beautiful lands are not being cleaned and protected. This means facilities can be closed, trash may not be picked up and in some races may be canceled.
While the races may be the least to worry about here, this concerns me. For some, if not many, people, races in national parks may be their first interaction with a park. This was true for me when I flew out west to visit the city of Leadville, Colorado and race in some of their awesome races. I grew to love their little city and the expansive national forests (yes, this is different than national parks but the National Forest Service is also shutdown) that surround it. In my trips there, I have visited other national parks, like the Great Sand Dunes, and always had an immense amount of fun and time to find myself. Isn't that what national parks are for?
Below is some of my advice of how to enjoy the national parks (or forests) and things you should do while you are there:
1. Stay on the trails - I can not say this enough. The trail systems these parks provide are there for many reasons, to provide a fun and safe path for visitors to enjoy, to prevent erosion and to protect plant and wild life areas. Staying on the trail is not only for the safety of nature but for the safety of the visitor as well. Sure 99% of the time, you will be fine stepping off the trail, but if you wander too far or get lost (which is easy enough to do on the trails) you could get seriously hurt and it will only be that much harder to find you.
2. Pick up trash - I know, this isn't your job. The problem is, that with the government shut down, it's no one's job. If you see trash where it shouldn't be, pick it up. I try to make it a personal goal of mine to pick up 2 pieces of trash every time I visit any park, though I am not always successful. With the shutdown, I have kept my eyes on trash containers, with the intent to empty it if it is full by putting it into my SUV to take home or to a local facility to dispose of. Full trash containers risk litter spilling out into the surrounding nature reserves and animals learning food may be present there and thus increasing encounters with humans. Maybe it's just my inner boy scout but I was always taught you should leave it better than you found it.
3. Be respectful of the land - This sounds similar to #2, but this includes staying on proper roadways. Again, this is for everyone's safety. If you see an area that is in disrepair, avoid using it to worsen it further. Make a note and contact the park services.
4. Follow posted instructions - If a park is truly closed, stay out. If the park is open, you may enter. I know I can take care of myself out in most wilderness, but if something happens there may be no help available. Facilities that are often relied on may be closed, which presents further danger than previously thought and thus why you should stay out.
5. Use the facilities before hand - I've had personal experiences with this during a few government shutdowns, which makes me sad to say I've had to experience more than one while running. Use the restroom, particularly number 2, before you go. Restrooms are usually locked and this can make a big issue as we all know what runner's trots are.
6. Whatever you bring in, bring it back out - Again, there is probably to refuse service occurring during a shut down. Do not be the asshat who makes a mess and has to leave it for the unpaid park worker to clean up. An animal make beat them to it, especially now, and get sick off of it. Neither should happen, so pack out what you pack in. The boy scouts teaches you to "leave no trace", remember that and to learn more follow or volunteer with Leave No Trace. Here are their principles to follow
7. Be respectful to the rangers - Do not take your frustration out on a park ranger who is doing their job. They want this less than you do, don't beat them up for it. They may just not come back until they are paid and then the park suffers more.
8. Be the park ranger - Ok, so don't go stopping poachers (unless you're Dog the Bounty Hunter or something). Be smart but if you see someone doing something they shouldn't be, say something. Back off if you feel uncomfortable but we really need to do our best to protect the land from people who are doing things they shouldn't be, whether it's a kid playing in a wetland or a company illegally dumping. You can volunteer your services to better the parks here for the parks and here for the forest services, once they are up and running again.
9. Donate! - You can donate here, and pick your favorite National Park to donate to. You can donate here for the National Forest Services.
Here is a list of all of the interior United state departments that are shut down when a government shut down occurs.
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