West Virginia will fork over cash to keep its national parks open during a federal government shutdown that has coincided with autumn leaf peeping season.
Gov. Patrick Morrisey, a Republican, said Thursday a “donation agreement” has been forged to reopen the state’s shuttered national park facilities in the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Harpers Ferry National Historic Park.
Currently, those parks have closed their visitor centers and services like public transportation. The state funding will make them “fully operational,” Morrisey said.
“Our national parks are some of West Virginia’s greatest treasures, and I’m proud to ensure they remain open during this time,” he said in a statement. “I invite folks from near and far to take advantage of West Virginia’s natural beauty and plan a trip to visit one of our national parks or nearby state parks. “
