National Parks Under Siege

American Voices

July 13, 2005 | ISSUE 41•28

Attendance at America's national parks has quadrupled in the past 30 years, spawning pollution and traffic problems. What do you think?

Hey, I own the national parks as much as anyone, so I'm going to plow my RV into as many herds of deer as I like.

Oscar Sowell
Machinist
They should hire some more of those giant owls that pick up garbage.

Jeff Palmer
Teacher
Maybe if the parks had some decent four-lane highways running through them, there wouldn't be so much traffic.

Angela Koerner
Systems Analyst
I don't buy this overcrowding bullshit for a minute: They just want us out of Yellowstone so they can grow more 'Old Faithful Primo Gold,' the special top-secret Senate marijuana.

Steve Tendero
Bartender
Why visit some overcrowded national park when you can spend your summer vacation at the Our Lady Of Fatima Grotto & Fireworks Stand, located just five miles off I-90 in scenic Onida, SD?

Lynette Bosch
Claims Adjuster
The beauty of our national parks is awe-inspiring. Except for Jellystone. I drove through there once, and it was just the same tree, rock, and picnic bench going by in the background over and over.

Christopher Lee
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