Promontory Summit, Utah - Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Golden Spike National Historical Park is beginning locomotive operations and increasing recreational opportunities. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.
On June 5th, summertime locomotive demonstrations will begin on an adjusted schedule.
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June 5, 6, 7 (Union Pacific 119 only)
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June 12, 13, 14 (Union Pacific 119 only)
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June 19, 20, 21
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June 26, 27, 28
The locomotives will make demonstration runs starting at 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 4:00 PM on these days.
In addition, entry fees are waived, and the following spaces and facilities remain open and accessible:
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The Big Fill Trail
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East Auto Tour
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Last Spike Site
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Visitor Center Restrooms
With public health in mind the Visitor Center will remain closed at this time.
“Seeing, hearing and smelling the Union Pacific 119 locomotive as she made her shakedown run this week was an inspiring site." said Superintendent Brandon Flint. “While operations have been adjusted to adapt to COVID-19, I know that when visitors arrive at the park and they see, hear, and smell the locomotives they will have an unforgettable experience."
The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At Golden Spike, our operational approach will be to examine each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance, and will be regularly monitored. We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public and work spaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers.
While these areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services may be limited. When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders, practice Leave No Trace principles, avoid crowding and avoid high-risk outdoor activities.
The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19, and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.
Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on our park website https://www.nps.gov/gosp/index.htm and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/goldenspikeNPS/. Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.
www.nps.gov
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 419 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov (file://inpgospms01/News%20Release%20Templates%202019/www.nps.gov), and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
Tags: locomotive golden spike
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
