The state of Arizona spent $193,151.28 to insure the Grand Canyon National Park wouldn’t close during the recent 35-day partial federal government shutdown.
After 2018’s three-day government shutdown, Gov. Doug Ducey signed an executive order, saying the state would give about $64,000 a week to the park to cover basic services. The money comes from the state’s parks and tourism budgets.
When the shutdown entered its third week, the National Parks Service started using visitor fees to cover basic operating costs and payments from the state stopped.
Visitor fees usually go to long term park enhancements rather than daily upkeep.
The Grand Canyon Conservancy, a nonprofit, also donated about $5,000 and their staff ran junior ranger programs and handed out maps while National park rangers were furloughed.
