National Park Service St. John - furlough

[petepie]

Any idea of the impact of the Govt furlough on the St. John NPS properties? They can't really "close" the beaches right? But I'm guessing no concessions, no guards?

[rpplano]

If they close the snack bar at Trunk, how will the birds get their french fries?

[ccasebolt]

You won't have to pay the entry fee to Trunk either...

[yellowbird]

I was also wondering what the effect of a government shutdown would mean. Would the parking areas be open at Trunk, etc? Does anyone know?

[datwaymon]

I found this on a different message board.

Following is the response I received from someone at the Virgin Islands National park website when I asked the question there:

Please note that all park facilities will be closed if there is a shutdown. Whereas open spaces cannot physically be closed off, there would be no assistance and support available.

Thanks much,

Paul Thomas

Chief of Interpretation

[rpplano]

Please note that all park facilities will be closed if there is a shutdown. Whereas open spaces cannot physically be closed off, there would be no assistance and support available.

So, restrooms and showers will be locked, snack bar and gift shop closed.

That will make Trunk seem like the other beaches! How nice of them!

[petepie]

It's a moot point now that the budget passed, but I wonder if they would have kicked all the campers out of Cinnamon Bay too.

[hugo]

Bear in mind that both the Cinnamon campground and the Trunk snackbar are not run by the Park, but are a division of Caneel Bay. As I recall, the last time this happened they remained open.