Sleeping Bear Dunes Back Open, No Major Issues Reported

Back in business.

After the longest federal government shutdown in history, hundreds of thousands of federal employees have or are returning to work after about six weeks off. That includes dozens of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore employees, who returned late last week to one of the Grand Traverse region’s signature attractions. 

Superintendent Scott Tucker deferred The Ticker’s questions to a National Park Service communications email, which sent a boilerplate response (see it in its entirety at the end of this story).

Laura Ann Johnson, executive director of Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes, tells The Ticker park employees and management are thrilled to be back. So is her team of volunteers, which was operating on a limited and unofficial basis during the shutdown as they are normally overseen by park staff.

“I’ve had lots of volunteers texting me photos of themselves our on the trails with their orange vests,” she says. “Our folks are so excited to be back out there and supporting the national lakeshore they love so much.”

The park overall is in good shape, Johnson says, with no major damage or issues from natural or manmade causes.

“In past shutdowns, there were (incidents of) vandalism or people destroying things in the park,” she says. “We didn't see that this time around, which we are very grateful for.”

The biggest priorities at the park are continued winterization of various infrastructure and facilities, Johnson says. Sleeping Bear staff are also working to get kids back in the park, as the school year is usually quite busy with field trips. 

“The education and interpretive team started as quickly as possible to contact the school groups that are supposed to be having park experiences in the winter,” she says. “I know they have a big goal to increase the number of students that have park experiences or experiences with a park ranger this winter.”

Friends of Sleeping Bear worked to raise money to offset at least some of the revenue the park lost during the shutdown (since the entrance booth was unmanned). They were able to raise about $13,000, Johnson says. And while that’s just a “drop in the bucket,” the fund drive was a great way to get much needed exposure to FOSB, which raisees funds for park projects, volunteers for trail and beach cleanups, maintains the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, provides equipment and programs for accessibility and much more. 

“It's been a tough thing to capitalize on, but at the same time, we're really grateful for the awareness that was raised,” she says. “We were able to raise a ton of awareness about our friends group and all the wonderful work that's being done by this nonprofit.”

Here’s the full statement from the National Park Service:

“Throughout the lapse in appropriations, the Administration kept America’s national parks safe, clean, and open wherever possible. Thanks to strong leadership and a well-executed contingency plan, the National Park Service maintained essential services, minimized disruptions, and prevented the kind of resource damage seen in past shutdowns.

 Now, as operations resume, parks across the country are welcoming visitors back in full. NPS employees and partners are working quickly to restore normal services and ensure visitors can continue to enjoy these treasured places. The Administration is proud of the dedication, accountability, and efficiency shown by the NPS workforce, demonstrating once again that with clear direction and smart planning, America’s parks remain open, protected, and ready for all to enjoy.”