Increase of Visitor’s Numbers
The Grand Canyon is one of the most famous natural wonders in the world and attracts visitors from all over. Since the Grand Canyon National Park was established in 1919, the number of visitors to the Canyon has been on a steady rise. As of 2019, the number of visitors was 6,697,245, up from 6,257,796 in 2015, a 6.7 percent increase. This increased growth of visitors is thought to be due to the popularity of the National Park and the accessibility of the canyon through the number and quality of maintained trails.
Unfortunately, the increasing number of visitors has not been accompanied by a corresponding increase in safety measures by park personnel. A 2019 report from the National Park Service showed that the Grand Canyon had the highest death rate of any other major park, with six deaths per million visitors. The same report showed that deaths at the Grand Canyon were almost double the average for all national parks. In addition, the report showed that the Grand Canyon had a higher than average number of automobile accidents and deaths due to hazardous terrain.
Criticism of Park Authorities
These statistics have caused some to criticize the park authorities for their lack of safety measures. For example, a number of tourists have noted that the park does not have adequate signage to alert visitors of danger spots or difficult terrain. Others have noted that the park’s rangers are often overwhelmed by the sheer number of visitors and are unable to provide enough guidance or instruction for newcomers.
As a result, a number of medical and safety experts have called for more stringent safety protocols, such as increased signage and ranger training, to be implemented in order to reduce the number of deaths at the Grand Canyon. In particular, the experts have stressed the importance of educating visitors on the risks associated with the Canyon and providing clear routes and signs for visitors to follow.
Accountability of Visitors
However, some argue that visitors to the Grand Canyon should also be accountable for their own safety. A number of visitors have been seen disregarding or ignoring safety warnings, including warnings about extreme weather conditions or dangerous terrain. These visitors have put themselves and others at risk by taking risks that they could have easily avoided.
In addition, a number of visitors have also been seen without the proper equipment for their hikes, such as water, sunscreen, or the appropriate clothing. This has led some to argue that the park should do more to educate visitors on what to bring and what not to bring on their hikes, or even provide some equipment to visitors if needed.
Furthermore, visitors should also be aware that some of the most dangerous sections of the canyon are not reachable from the maintained trails. Many visitors have been seen trying to access these areas, despite warnings from park personnel. These visitors have endangered not only themselves but others as well, due to their attempts at reaching dangerous areas of the canyon.
Educating Visitors
Given the lack of accountability on the part of visitors, the National Park Service should focus on educating visitors on the risks associated with the Grand Canyon and putting in place the necessary safety measures. In particular, the park should create an online or in-person safety course for visitors to the park that would provide information on the terrain, weather conditions, and other safety measures. The course should also include a quiz and certification for visitors who successfully complete the course.
In addition, the park should also provide visitors with clear and easy-to-understand signage as well as rangers dedicated to providing safety guidance. Lastly, the park should provide access to basic safety equipment, such as flashlights or sunscreen, for visitors who may not have the means or know-how to bring the items with them on their hikes.
Increased Regulation
In order to maintain safety standards, the Grand Canyon National Park should also consider increasing regulation for visitors. For example, the park should enforce a minimum age for visitors to access certain areas of the canyon and set a maximum number of visitors allowed in each area at any given time. These measures would provide an additional layer of safety for visitors while also allowing the park to manage the number of visitors to each area.
At the same time, the park should also consider increasing the number of trails and amenities in order to reduce the number of visitors attempting to access dangerous areas of the canyon. This would reduce the risk of a visitor getting lost or injured by providing additional paths and clear routes to follow.
Technology Solutions
Finally, the Grand Canyon National Park should invest in technology solutions that would help reduce the number of deaths in the Canyon. For example, the park should invest in a tracking system that would allow staff to pinpoint the location of visitors at any given time. This technology could be used to alert staff not only if visitors are entering dangerous areas but also if an emergency arises.
In addition, the park could also invest in technological solutions, such as drones or robots, which could be used to monitor visitors more effectively. The drones could be equipped with sensors and cameras which would allow park personnel to assess the safety of visitors and alert them to any dangerous activity. The robots, on the other hand, could be used to provide guidance and reassurance to visitors who may be lost or in need of help.
Incorporating Green Practices
As the Grand Canyon National Park seeks to increase safety standards, it should also consider incorporating more green practices to ensure the protection of the environment. For example, the park should look into implementing solar panels in order to provide energy to visitors and park staff. This would reduce the amount of energy being drawn from the grid and ensure that visitors and staff are not contributing to the carbon footprint while enjoying the beauty of the Grand Canyon.
In addition, the park should consider looking into alternative forms of transportation to reduce carbon emissions. The park should consider investing in electric cars or bikes that would allow visitors to see different areas of the canyon without relying on gas powered vehicles. This would not only reduce carbon emissions but also reduce the possibility of visitors getting into an automobile accident while exploring the canyon.
Lastly, the park should allow visitors to take part in waste sorting and recycling initiatives while visiting the Grand Canyon. This would reduce the amount of waste entering the canyon and would also encourage visitors to appreciate the importance of taking care of the environment.
Volunteer Programs
The Grand Canyon National Park should also consider setting up volunteer programs that would allow visitors to take part in the preservation of the Canyon. Volunteering programs would allow visitors to gain a deeper appreciation of the Canyon and its importance.
The park should also consider setting up volunteer courses that would educate visitors on the environmental hazards of the Canyon and the importance of preserving the environment. These courses should provide visitors with a deeper understanding of the importance of biodiversity and the threats posed to the environment due to climate change.
In addition, the park should consider allowing volunteers to take part in research initiatives and projects that would help protect the Canyon from environmental hazards. This would provide the park with valuable data that could be used to inform environmental protection initiatives and help the park maintain its priceless natural resources.
Developing Alternative Tourism
Finally, the Grand Canyon National Park should develop alternative tourism initiatives that would allow visitors to explore the Canyon without putting their own safety at risk. For example, the park should look into developing alternatives to hikers, such as guided tours or sand-surfing, which would still allow visitors to explore the canyon without the same amount of risk.
In addition, the park should also consider investing in other attractions that would allow visitors to get a different perspective of the Canyon. These attractions could include ziplines, underground walking tours, and adventure parks. These attractions would allow visitors to explore the Canyon from different angles, while also providing a safe and enjoyable experience.
