A Heritage Under Threat
National parks weave the fabric of America’s identity. From the Grand Canyon’s vastness to the solemn trails of Gettysburg, these places belong to us all. Yet, President Trump’s 2026 budget proposal, backed by the Department of Government Efficiency, targets over $1 billion in National Park Service cuts, including grants that sustain these treasures. This plan endangers our shared legacy.
The proposal eliminates $73 million in construction grants, $77 million for recreation and preservation, and $197 million from the Historic Preservation Fund. It also suggests transferring over 350 smaller parks to states or tribes, many unequipped to manage them. As someone who treasures these spaces, I see this as a betrayal. Parks are essential public goods, not bargaining chips.
These cuts strike at communities. Parks attract 331 million visitors yearly, generating $24 billion for local economies and supporting 70,000 jobs. Last year, I spoke with a diner owner near Great Smoky Mountains who said park visitors keep her business alive. Without federal grants, these towns face economic hardship, left to scrape by.
Advocates for strong park funding emphasize their role in protecting biodiversity, addressing climate challenges, and ensuring access for underserved communities. The National Parks Conservation Association projects that a 25 percent budget cut could close hundreds of sites. Staffing has already dropped 13 percent since early 2025, and maintenance backlogs exceed $12 billion.
Some Republican policymakers argue these grants inflate federal bureaucracy and overlap with state efforts. They push for state-led management to save taxpayer dollars. Yet, this reasoning falters. States, often financially strained, cannot uphold federal standards. The outcome would be neglected trails, shuttered visitor centers, and a heritage left to crumble.
The Toll on Communities
When federal grants disappear, the fallout is immediate. State and local agencies, unable to compensate, reduce ranger staff, maintenance teams, and educational programs. Trails close, historic buildings decay, and visitor services shrink. The 2013 budget sequestration proved this: parks cut hours, and local businesses suffered. A deeper cut now would devastate communities.
Gateway towns, from Estes Park to Acadia’s neighbors, depend on park visitors. Without federal support, these areas face job losses and declining revenue. The National Park Service’s $23 billion maintenance backlog balloons, and local governments may raise fees, limiting access for lower-income families. Public spaces should unite us, not divide us by wealth.
History reinforces this worry. The 2013 sequestration trimmed 5 percent from park budgets, causing shorter seasons and fewer services. A $210 million cut in 2024 deepened staffing shortages. The proposed $1 billion reduction overshadows those, threatening a system built since 1916. Staffing has fallen 23 percent since 2010, and repair needs have tripled. This neglect undermines our values.
Supporters of the cuts claim taxpayers need relief, prioritizing spending on defense or border security. Yet, parks deliver unmatched returns. Each federal dollar invested generates up to $15 in local economic activity. Dismissing them as nonessential ignores their economic impact. And the idea that states can seamlessly take over? Most lack the resources or expertise to manage federal sites effectively.
A Call to Defend Our Parks
Parks reflect our commitment to preservation, equity, and community vitality. Bipartisan successes, like the Great American Outdoors Act’s $6.65 billion for repairs, demonstrate the power of investing in our heritage. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act added over $1 billion, showing federal leadership works. Trump’s cuts would reverse these gains, choosing austerity over responsibility.
Grassroots advocates and nonprofits are mobilizing. The America the Beautiful Act, a bipartisan effort, aims to secure maintenance funding and prevent land transfers. Though a Senate amendment to block sell-offs failed 48-51, the fight persists. Park supporters, backed by 80 percent of Americans who favor robust funding, demand action. This transcends politics; it’s about our shared future.
We cannot allow these cuts to dismantle our parks. They are our legacy, where every child can explore Yellowstone or reflect at Independence Hall. Every town deserves the economic boost parks provide. Congress must reject these reductions and invest in our heritage. Our parks, and our principles, hang in the balance.