Local residents gathered Sunday, April 27, at the Peace Light Memorial to protest staffing cuts at Gettysburg National Military Park (GNMP) and across the National Park Service (NPS).
Organized by Gettysburg Rising, the demonstration highlighted the economic and cultural importance of national parks. According to organizers, park visitor spending at GNMP totaled $54.8 million in 2023, supporting 653 local jobs. Nationwide, national parks generated $55.6 billion in economic output last year, while the Park Service’s operational budget was $3.6 billion — a return of more than $15 for every dollar spent.
Protesters voiced concerns about the recent elimination of approximately 1,000 NPS jobs nationwide, including five at GNMP. They argued that cutting Park Ranger positions is short-sighted in areas like Gettysburg, where tourism is a major economic driver.
“NPS employees are responsible for aiding visitors, maintaining the park, protecting forests, and managing invasive species,” Gettysburg Rising noted in a statement distributed at the event.
Participants carried signs underscoring their worries. Organizer Pam Hinton’s sign read, “Protect our Parks from – Staff Cuts – Mining – Timber Clear Cut Logging – DOGE.” Protester Steve Duncan held a sign declaring, “Our Parks Belong to our Children, NOT Profiteers,” and he and his wife Amy emphasized the parks’ combined natural beauty and historic significance. Another sign read, “Don’t Disappear – Our Parks – Our Neighbors – Or Our Democracy. Parks Eternal in a Nation United!”
Gettysburg Rising announced plans for a second rally on Sunday, May 25, from 1 to 3 p.m., again at the Peace Light, to continue advocating for the National Park Service.
Judy Young is a retired United Methodist pastor. She convenes Gettysburg for
Gun Sense and the Adams County branch of the PA Prison Society, and is a
member of the Green Gettysburg Book Club.
As I understand it, a couple of these positions were running bed and breakfast(s) in historic building(s). Not appropriate activity for the government park service in my opinion. Better left to the private sector.