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In previous blog entries I’ve mentioned the difficulty placed upon the National Park Service (NPS) with funding reductions by the federal government. In an attempt to make up for the shortfall visitors are now having to pay for more expensive admission fees to several national parks.

Park Fee Hikes Questioned – USA Today (4/29/07)

Unfortunately numerous National Parks are now feeling the pinch and evaluating the option to increase fees:
More news articles on rising NPS fees across the country – Google News Search Results

As bad as fee increases are something even more troubling could be on the horizon. Due to funding reductions over the past 6 years the National Park Service might seriously look into the prospect of corporate sponsorship.

Golden Arches National Park might be on horizon – National Trails Training Partnership

National Parks Seeking Corporate Sponsorship – The New Standard (10/05)

I’ve conducted a thorough search to see where the NPS stands on this and nothing appears to be imminent, but the prospect alone of corporate named trails makes me cringe. National Parks have such a rich history it would be a shame to see that tainted by Corporate America. Let’s hope that funding increases for the National Park Service and such a prospect never become a reality.

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