In the wake of the ongoing struggle to designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail, a newspaper along the historic highway has floated an intriguing idea -- make Route 66 a national park instead. The editorial board of the Joplin Globe in Missouri published an editorial with that proposal a few days ago. Below … Continue reading Newspaper editorial floats National Park idea for Route 66
Tag: National Park Service
U.S. government shutdown affects some national parks
The shutdown of the U.S. government that began Friday night is affecting some, but not all, of the national parks and other sites managed by the National Park Service. The effect the shutdown, if it's short-term, should be low on Route 66 because it's tourism off-season, especially near the Christmas and New Year's holidays. One … Continue reading U.S. government shutdown affects some national parks
Government shutdown closes several sites on or near Route 66
The ongoing shutdown by the U.S. federal government shuttered National Park Service sites on or near Route 66 this weekend, with no resolution in sight. An exception is Grand Canyon National Park, which remains accessible because of a partnership with the state of Arizona. Businesses there that include lodging, restaurants and retail stay open. Within … Continue reading Government shutdown closes several sites on or near Route 66
Route 66 National Trail bill gets a hearing with House subcommittee
Federal legislation to designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail received a hearing in front of the Subcommittee of Federal Lands of the U.S. House of Representatives. No lawmaker on the subcommittee expressed opposition to H.R. 801, aka the Route 66 National Historic Trail Designation Act. In fact, most of the lawmakers voiced support … Continue reading Route 66 National Trail bill gets a hearing with House subcommittee
Fees could rise sharply at popular national parks, including Grand Canyon
The U.S. Park Service is considering steep increases to 17 of its most popular national parks, including Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, a side trip for many Route 66 travelers. The Associated Press reported Tuesday: Visitors to the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Yellowstone, Zion and other national parks would be charged $70 per vehicle, up … Continue reading Fees could rise sharply at popular national parks, including Grand Canyon
Interior Secretary recommends no changes to Mojave Trails National Monument
Ryan Zinke, the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, recommended shrinking six national monuments after a review ordered by President Donald Trump. But the Mojave Trails National Monument wasn't one of them, nor did Zinke recommend any other changes to the Southern California site in his memo. The Zinke's report to the president wasn't supposed to … Continue reading Interior Secretary recommends no changes to Mojave Trails National Monument
Trump’s order to review national monuments ultimately may not mean much
President Donald Trump on Wednesday issued an executive order to review the designation of about two dozen national monuments since 1996, including the new Mojave Trails National Monument along Route 66 in Southern California. However, the order may not be as grave as environmentalists and Route 66ers fear. The president said he wanted to overturn … Continue reading Trump’s order to review national monuments ultimately may not mean much
National parks likely will offer naming rights
The Painted Desert in Arizona won't be renamed the Sherwin Williams Painted Desert anytime soon. But many other things will be up for grabs when the National Park Service begins to look for naming rights for many parts of its facilities. The Washington Post this week published a story about this development. Hard up for money because of flat funding from … Continue reading National parks likely will offer naming rights
Government shutdown ends; national parks along Route 66 reopen
The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives passed a bill Wednesday night that ended the 16-day partial shutdown of the federal government. As a result, parks, campgrounds, historic sites, and services along Route 66 that are maintained by the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management or U.S. Forest Service reopened Thursday morning. The Grand … Continue reading Government shutdown ends; national parks along Route 66 reopen