My favorite
thing about going about on trails and seeing huge natural formations is the
sense of discovery that comes with it. You can never be quite sure about what
is just around that next bend or over that next hill. Unfortunately, all the
natural wonders I enjoy have been slowly eroding, but not by natural means. We’ve
all seen the litter along trails. We’ve all seen the names carved into a rock
or tree.
I love it
when structures are built to complement the landscape. Trail improvements
should be the same way. They should move along with the contours and trees
instead of cutting right through it. I’ve seen a lot of trails that do just
that. Adding stairs and bridges that don’t detract from the scenery can enhance
the experience. At least they make the parks that much more accessible. If done
wrong though, they can destroy the magic of a place. The last thing I want when
I go to a park is to feel like I’m in the middle of a commercialized
enterprise.
That’s one
of the reasons I’m against the proposed “improvements” to the Grand Canyon
National Park. The addition of a gondola to ferry tourists to the bottom of the
canyon and an increase is commercialized space would intrude too much. The National
Park Service has other reasons for opposing the development. Mainly they have
concerns about the water situation, which is already tenuous at best. I’ve
never been to the Grand Canyon, but when I eventually do visit I don’t want to
feel like I’m in a mall with a view.
For the
most part trail improvements are necessary and can increase park visitor
numbers, which is only a good thing. I praise anyone that would go spend an
afternoon walking along a trail, but with greater accessibility comes an
increase of those who lack respect for the park. We've all seen litter along
the trails. You're just as likely to see a water bottle as much as a tree. But
unfortunately, that's the least damaging thing we've all seen.
If you ever
get the chance, go see the Rock House in Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio. It's a
good little jaunt and you can easily walk the entire thing in an hour or two if
you take your time. The parks department has made several improvements to
increase the accessibility of the cave. But the site is marred by the continued
and repeated wear and tear caused by visitors. With one goo look you'll see dozens
upon dozens of carved names on the floor and walls. There are large grooves
worn into the soft sandstone by people repeatedly scraping their foot in one
place.
If this
isn't cracked down on, anything natural in these places will eventually be
destroyed, along with everything that makes these places special or
interesting. Instead of natural beauty all that will be left is a battered and
scarred monument to self-gratification. At that point what’s the difference
between that and a shopping mall? The park service can’t do it alone, so the
next time you’re walking along a trail, pick up that bit of litter. Maybe this
time don’t hold your tongue and tell the other visitors that carving on the
rocks isn’t okay. Keeping the parks in good condition should be the goal of
everyone.
No comments:
Post a Comment