Politics & Government

Could Minute Man Reopen Before the Shutdown Ends?

The Obama administration has opened the door for states to use their own money to reopen some national parks closed due to the shutdown.

October is leaf-peeping season in Massachusetts, which means it's high time for tourists. 

As such, Minute Man National Historical Park averages thousands of visitors per day during the month. And yet, due to the government shutdown, the park has been closed since Oct. 1

Following the government shutdown, 27 Minute Man employees were furloughed, the parking gates locked, ranger-led interpretation programs cancelled and the visitors centers, restrooms, Hartwell Tavern and other sites have been closed. 

However, that could all change.

A week-and-a-half in, the Obama administration reportedly has opened the door for states to use their own money to reopen some national parks closed due to the shutdown. 

The Associated Press reported Thursday that governors in at least four states asked for authority to reopen national parks within their borders, citing the economic impact of park closures.  

Governors from Arizona, Colorado, South Dakota and Utah made requests to reopen their parks using state has resources to operate them if federal funding is not available, the AP reported

It was unclear Thursday afternoon whether Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick would seek to reopen the national parks, and how his decision would impact Minute Man NHP, which preserves America's revolutionary history along the Battle Road in Concord, Lincoln and Lexington. 

The shutdown, which took effect at midnight on Oct. 1, came at the start of one of Minute Man's three busiest months, according to Lou Sideris, the park's chief of planning and communications. 

"October is a very busy time with the fall foliage," Sideris said in a previous interview, noting only summer months rank ahead in terms of visitors. "This time of year we get about 4,000 people per day." 

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Neither the Governor's office nor Minute Man NHP immediately returned requests for comment on Thursday afternoon. We'll update the story as more information becomes available. 


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