New Snow Gates Indicative Of Parkway's Budget Constraints
The new snow gates which have appeared around Blowing Rock this year are there not only to address visitor safety but also out of response to a diminished park budget. The responsibility of road closures lies within the domain of the law enforcement arm of the Parkway’s administrative division of Resource Protection and Visitor Services. There are presently slightly more than 30 permanent rangers on the Parkway where 50 or more are actually needed for the Parkway administration to feel comfortable in providing optimal public safety and the protection of park resources. Yes, these ladies and gentlemen take vacations, too.
Snow Gate at Blowing Rock
The fact is that there may not be a ranger available to respond for an hour or more in the event of an emergency and with the propect of inclement weather, there may not even be a ranger within a hundred miles available to personally inspect the motor road and make a decision about a closure.
It then becomes cost effective to leave the motor road closed and that is the frequent case for much of the Parkway during the winter.
And then, local emergency personnel must contend with the local traveler which “has 4 wheel drive” and “I can go anywhere” attitude.
We all say (myself, included) that “it won’t happen to me”, but it does. This visitor to Blowing Rock (not I) had to wait an hour for a ranger to arrive to investigate before the vehicle could be moved. Fortunately, there were no injuries. Not only did he have to wait, but also the emergency crews from the Town of Blowing Rock who were called out in response to this 911 call.
