Reader comments
Recession increases national park visits

"The Obama administration says the recession is convincing more people to stay closer to home and visit inexpensive national parks, just like the president did this past week as he toured Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon."

In what way are Wyoming and Arizona considered "closer to home" when you live in D.C.? Does it mean that a proper vacation has to be overseas? Or is this just classic ObamaSpeak that doesn't mean anything?

The majority of visitors to the Parks are foriegn tourists. How does that compute?

obama is smart!

Are you serious? The "quote" that you are using to criticize the President is an introductory paragraph to an article written by Mr. Davidson. The statement (by the Obama administration concerning national park attendance during the recession0 being paraphrased is the statement from Secretary Salazar included in the article. The application (of the paraphrased statement) to the president's recent trip was made by the author. I'm tired of people who don't know what they're talking about criticizing the President. He's doing the right things for our country, whether you like it (or know it) or not

Hey Dave...you don`t know what your talking about. I spent most of my adult working life in and around the National Parks. I retired from the NPS in 07. Pretty obvious you live in some Wasatch Front dream world.

I would just add that when you visit the park of your choice, take a good look at the facilities, and tell the rangers that the park Supt. MUST follow the rules sent down to take a proactive role in taking care of these important assets.Tell them to quit playing political games and pursuing personal gain from their position.

These parks are owned by YOU the taxpayer..get on these park managers. Some do a great job and many are no more than political, back slapping hacks.

To what extent is this observed increase in park visitation a reflection on vacation trends during an economic recession? To what extent is it increased international tourism from a drastically weakened US dollar overseas? To what extent is it a reflection of a huge increase in retirement lifestyles of babyboomers who will have ample time for travel and recreation? I think there's much more to the observed increase in park visitation than meets the eye. More data are needed.

"I'm tired of people who don't know what they're talking about criticizing the President. He's doing the right things for our country, whether you like it (or know it) or not"
....Well, please forgive those of us who don't share your hero-worship of the man who is at least partially responsible for virtually eliminating ANY chance of EVER digging ourselves out of the credit/tax/spend morass that we've dug ourselves into over the past 75-or-so years. Unfortunately (for you) the rest us are also protected (theoretically, at least) by the 1st amemndment (from people like yourself who believe we should just "shut up"