Pipe Spring National Monument Reopens and Emphasizes Community Connections

Date: October 18, 2013
Contact: Andrea Bornemeier, 928-643-7105

Fredonia, AZ - Following 16 days of closure, due to the congressional lapse of federal appropriations, Pipe Spring National Monument has reopened as of Thursday, October 17^th. The Monument once again welcomes and encourages local and traveling visitors.

On behalf of all National Park Service staff at the Monument, Superintendent John Hiscock has stated that: “We are overjoyed to be able to once again share the cultural and historic significance of Pipe Spring National Monument with the public. It was truly agonizing to have to close the site and turn visitors away.  The awkwardness of the continued Pipe Spring closure was further magnified when surrounding parks such as Grand Canyon, Glen Canyon, and Zion were reopened earlier through the generous donations of Arizona and Utah State government.” The National Park Service and Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians partnership visitor center and cultural museum was also closed due to the unavailability of Park Service staffing during the shutdown.

The most recent National Park Service visitation and visitor spending report, for 2011, shows that some 57,000 visitors to Pipe Spring National Monument, over the course of a year, spend $3,037,000 in local communities. Superintendent Hiscock stated: “We sincerely understand the critical importance of Monument visitors to tourism and the related economy in local communities such as the Kaibab Paiute Reservation and Fredonia, AZ, and Kanab, Hurricane, and St. George, UT.  And, we recognize the losses in tourism revenue suffered by the communities as an indirect result of the shutdown and closure of Pipe Spring National Monument.” In addition, ongoing operations and projects of the National Park Service at Pipe Spring, such as supply purchases, vehicle maintenance, construction and preservation projects, and other federal government outlays have been slowed or deferred by the shutdown. “During fiscal year 2013 alone, Pipe Spring National Monument expended well over $100,000 for supplies, services and equipment in local communities.  And, all of our 20-30 permanent and seasonal employees and interns also return much of their earnings to the local communities and economy in the form of rent, and grocery, gas, and service purchases.”

The historical stories and context of Pipe Spring are regionally and nationally significant, but there is also a very definite and important relationship of the Monument and Park Service activities with local communities. Local schools routinely visit the Monument, and Park Rangers regularly present programs in the schools. Special programs at the Monument - such as the September performance of Symphony of the Canyons and the annual and upcoming Winsor Castle by Night holiday event involve critical community assistance, volunteerism and participation.  Although the federal shutdown briefly affected some NPS school programs, Superintendent Hiscock states that the monument “will continue and redouble its efforts to build all community partnerships and events.”

Fall is a great time for locals and travelers alike to visit Pipe Spring. Fall colors will soon be at a peak. The museum is open and regular tours of Winsor Castle are offered each day. Special programs will be offered in November in celebration of National American Indian Month, and Winsor Castle by Night will follow on December 3^rd. The Monument is open daily from 8:00 – 5:00.