News

Shutdown closes Sandburg site, furloughs 14

The Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site is closed because of the government shutdown.

By Bill Moss, Published: October 1, 2013

FLAT ROCK — Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site is among 401 sites the National Park Service has closed because of the government shutdown.

All visitor facilities including the Sandburg Home, barn, grounds, trails and parking lot are closed. The park will remain closed until the government reopens. In addition, all park programs and special events have been canceled, including house tours, education programs and groups that have made reservations for special programs, the National Park Service said.

The shutdown has idled 14 employees at the Flat Rock attraction. Three employees remain on duty, providing care for the goat herd, security and emergency services.

Carl Sandburg Home NHS hosts 410 visitors on average each day in October; nationally, more than 715,000 visitors a day frequent the National Park System. Nationwide the NPS stands to lose approximately $450,000 per day in lost revenue from fees collected at entry stations and fees paid for in-park activities such as cave tours, boat rides and camping. Gateway communities across the country see about $76 million per day in total sales from visitor spending that is lost during a government shutdown. Visitors spend about $4.75 million each year in the communities around Carl Sandburg Home NHS.

Nationwide the shutdown has furloughed more than 20,000 National Park Service employees; approximately 3,000 employees remain on duty to ensure essential health, safety, and security functions at parks and facilities. About 12,000 concessions employees are also affected.