National Park Service officials have launched an investigation at Arches National Park after white spray paint was found along the Devil’s Garden hiking trail. The graffiti consisted of handprints, smiley faces, the word “GRUG” and other symbols.
Allyson Mathis, who is a retired National Park Service employee, found the graffiti while on a hike with a friend on Nov. 5. Along with the markings on the rocks, there was also toilet paper strewn around the area.
“It was everywhere. It was heartbreaking and upsetting, but unfortunately not surprising,” Mathis stated regarding the incident.
The graffiti is estimated to have been there since about Oct. 24, which raises questions of why it wasn’t discovered sooner. Mathis said it has to do with Utah keeping the National Parks open through the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. As the shutdown reaches 42 days, this is not the only report of vandalism at National Parks.
“To me, it was a result of the shutdown, and it symbolized the vulnerabilities of the parks to what is happening with the shutdown without them being protected,” Mathis said.
The National Park Service has been forced to furlough over half of its 14,500 employees, leaving fewer rangers to watch over the parks and prevent incidents like these.
Right now, it is unclear how much the damage will cost to repair and if repairs are possible. The investigation is ongoing.
Author: Andrew Streeter
Photo courtesy of Allyson Mathis
Editor: Hannah Clove
news@suunews.net
