As Twitchy reported, Utah’s Zion National Park was the site of one of the first “Occupy America” protests, with hikers scaling the fence in defiance of the government’s shutdown of national parks. The Salt Lake Tribune’s Jim Dalrymple today reports that the park is again open, with Gov. Gary Herbert striking a deal to loan the federal government the money to keep several parks open for 10 days.
Herbert wrote to President Barack Obama earlier this week, offering state funding and asking the president for the “keys to the gates.” Thursday morning, Interior Secretary Sally Jewell spoke to Herbert by phone, expressing a willingness to consider the state’s offer, sparking a scramble to hammer out the deal finalized Thursday evening.
The park hasn’t fully re-opened, but that hasn’t stopped the public from lining up to pass through the now-open gates.
Zion National Park is Open!! Come play!!!!
— mvanhise (@ZionAdventures) October 11, 2013
This is a line of cars waiting to get into Zion National Park this morning. #shutdown #governmentshutdown pic.twitter.com/KInEqSnkd9
— Jim Dalrymple II (@Dalrymple) October 11, 2013
Cars using a newly reopened pullout at Zion National Park. #shutdown #governmentshutdown pic.twitter.com/3P09oA2tgH
— Jim Dalrymple II (@Dalrymple) October 11, 2013
A lot of Zion is still blocked off. This is the road leading to the visitors center, for example. #shutdown pic.twitter.com/6oHtxRmlpZ
— Jim Dalrymple II (@Dalrymple) October 11, 2013
Visitors to Zion already using the pullouts to take pictures. Most seem pretty pleased about the reopening pic.twitter.com/lx3T241eGm
— Jim Dalrymple II (@Dalrymple) October 11, 2013
Recommended
It's an absolutely beautiful day here in Zion National Park. Sunny, cool, perfect for reopening. #shutdown pic.twitter.com/a9XYlKeTSC
— Jim Dalrymple II (@Dalrymple) October 11, 2013
The Zion visitor's center is now open. Also, the park will be charging for admission tomorrow. #shutdown #governmentshutdown
— Jim Dalrymple II (@Dalrymple) October 11, 2013
The Tribune reports that the parks are expected to take in $100 million in revenue in the busy tourist month of October.
Other state governors, such as Arizona’s Jan Brewer, have also proposed footing the bill to reopen their state parks but haven’t been able to hammer out deals with the administration.
Mr. President @BarackObama, reopen America’s National Parks or let the states do it. #GrandCanyon #Lead http://t.co/kkPKt9B7RE
— Jan Brewer (@GovBrewer) October 5, 2013
Join the conversation as a VIP Member