NPS Closes Virginia Farm It Provides No Resources, Staff To
In 1980, the National Park Service cut what's now known as the Claude Moore Colonial Farm in McLean, Va. from its budget. Since then, the farm - which features animals and costumed staff members - has become the only park in the NPS's system run by a non-profit. But today the farm is closed and barricaded, like all NPS properties, because of the federal government shutdown. This is not sitting well with managing director Anna Eberly, who laid out their predicament in an email to supporters.
Every appeal our Board of Directors made to the NPS administration was denied. They feel that as "landlord" they have absolute control of their property. The NPS is quoted today in the Washington Post saying "The monuments are closed because, during a shutdown, there is no money to pay the rangers who staff them", said the Park Service spokeswoman, Carol Bradley Johnson." And the agency is worried about the security of the memorials and the safety of visitors at unstaffed sites. "It is not something we enjoy doing," Johnson said. "But it's important that we protect and preserve our monuments for future generations."What utter crap. We have operated the Farm successfully for 32 years after the NPS cut the Farm from its budget in 1980 and are fully staffed and prepared to open today. But there are barricades at the Pavilions and entrance to the Farm. And if you were to park on the grass and visit on your own, you run the risk of being arrested. Of course, that will cost the NPS staff salaries to police the Farm against intruders while leaving it open will cost them nothing.
Eberly said in the email they've asked Reps. Frank R. Wolf (R-Va.) and Jim Moran (D-Va.) for help, but so far the Congressmen have been unsuccessful.
So at the moment the farm is closed to the public: "If you are volunteer coming to take care of plants and animals you are allowed on the property. Otherwise, you may be denied access."
In all the years I have worked with the National Park Service, first as a volunteer for 6 years in Richmond where I grew up, then as an NPS employee at the for 8 very long years and now enjoyably as managing director for the last 32 years - I have never worked with a more arrogant, arbitrary and vindictive group representing the NPS.The Farm deeply apologizes that we have to disappoint you today by being closed but know that we are working while the National Park Service is not - as usual.