National parks closed during government shutdown

EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK, Fla. – National parks throughout the country were closed Wednesday while the government shutdown continued.

Dan Kimball, the superintendent of Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Parks, said he sent 238 employees home because they were furloughed, leaving only 38 employees working.

"It's very frustrating for the staff. The mission of the National Parks Service is to preserve this place for future generations and that's what we do every day," he said. "A lot of the things that we do every day that are important to restoring the park are not being done. That has an adverse impact on the park, an adverse impact on our visitors, and also an adverse impact on the South Florida economy."

A park ranger was stationed outside Everglades National Park to turn visitors away. A couple from China arrived only to be turned away.