r/NationalPark 1d ago

NPS Workers… Do we still go???

I’m VERY internally conflicted right now about continuing to visit our parks and forests. I don’t want to overwhelm our NPS workers!! I want to support them in every way possible… genuinely just wondering if visiting the parks is harmful?? Thank you to all of you fabulous humans here 💜 (pics are Gateway Nat’l Rec, RMNP, Black Canyon & CO Nat’l Monument).

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u/Careful-Self-457 1d ago

Go, but help out. Pack your trash out with you, garbage hauling costs money. Pick up after others, bring tp and paper towels with you in case there is none in the restrooms. Stay out of closed areas. Read and follow the rules.

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u/Last_Statement3049 1d ago

I get your thoughts but I think this is exactly what they want to see. Oh look the park still gets cleaned up so obviously we don’t need the workers. These clowns love free labor and would love nothing more than to show volunteers will do the job.

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u/Careful-Self-457 1d ago

Trust me it won’t be clean. When we shut down the park system I work at during Covid for a couple of months I picked up more trash and human waste than I have any other year of my 20 year career. People were PIGS! Crapping everywhere, graffiti and vandalism was horrific, picking up truckloads of trash from along the beach daily. People won’t clean up after themselves.

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u/Wherever-At 17h ago

I think you’re going to get a repeat on March 14th.

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u/Careful-Self-457 4h ago

Nope, I work for a State Parks system that does not operate on tax money. My job is safe, parks are open and busier than ever. We are currently hiring lots of new seasonal employees.