Boston’s National Parks Threatened by Government Shutdown

Boston's national parks, including the Freedom Trail and three significant sites managed by the National Park Service, face potential closure or limited access if the U.S. government shuts down due to a funding impasse in Congress.

A potential government shutdown would also impact thousands of federal employees in Boston and the surrounding areas. These individuals would likely be told to stay home until lawmakers pass a temporary or permanent funding bill.

“To see people have to scramble around, how they would support their families amidst an immediate freeze on potential compensation is something that I know people will be ... needing support,” said Boston Mayor Michelle Wu in a statement shared with MassLive.

Last week, more than 35 former National Park Service superintendents pleaded with the Trump administration to close the parks if the government shuts down later this week, The New York Times reported.

During the last government shutdown in 2019, under President Trump's first administration, the parks were kept open. A lack of appropriate staffing damaged national landmarks.

“Past shutdowns in which gates remained open with limited staff have hurt our parks,” the superintendents warned in a letter to U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. “If you don't act now, history is not just doomed to repeat itself, the damage could in fact be much worse.”

More than 4 million people visit Boston's Freedom Trail every year, exploring its 2.5-mile pathway that unites 16 significant historic sites in Boston. The National Park Service manages three parks in Boston, all of which reflect settings related to the American Revolution: the Boston African American National Historic Site, the Boston National Historical Park, and the Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park.

Wu expressed confidence that the city's delegation in Washington is working diligently to prevent a government shutdown and plans to stay in close contact as negotiations continue.