Gov. Nixon directing staff to develop proposal to open national parks in Missouri

Gov. Jay Nixon has directed his administration to develop plans that would allow for the reopening of National Park Service assets in Missouri.

Those assets include the Gateway Arch and grounds in St. Louis as well as the Ozarks National Scenic Riverways Park.

“These parks and riverways are national treasures that draw millions of visitors each year and generate significant economic activity for our state,” Gov. Nixon said in a statement. “That is why I have directed members of my administration to develop a proposal to reopen these important assets.”

Due to the government shutdown, all 401 national parks have been closed and 20,000 National Park Service employees have been furloughed.

The U.S. Department of Interior announced Thursday it would consider working with governors who have offered to use state funds to open the parks.

It’s not known when, or if, the parks in Missouri could reopen.