Grand Canyon National Park
Key Messages – Week of August 30, 2021
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National COVID-19 Updates
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COVID Misinformation
The US Food and Drug Administration warns people not to take veterinary drugs to treat COVID-19. The drug Ivermectin (for those of you with horses, think “horse paste”), which is used to treat or prevent parasites in animals, is not recommended for humans to treat or prevent COVID-19. Many people are overdosing on this drug and are experiencing severe side effects. Some people who took Ivermectin have even died. We want to ensure our employees have all the latest information about COVID
Please check the CDC’s COVID misinformation website regularly for updates.
This site provides tools for addressing misinformation about COVID-19.
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Case Count Updates
In COVID-19 news, community transmission remains in the “high” category in Coconino County, the state of Arizona, and in the US. Case numbers in Arizona increased slightly this week to 3,198 new cases per day compared to last week’s average of 2,978.
We remain committed to providing you the latest news of transmission in the park.
As of Tuesday, there have been a total of 238 cases in the 86023 zip code since the beginning of the pandemic with 56 reported cases within Grand Canyon National Park.
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Local COVID Updates
Outdoor Mask Use
New signs for outdoor ‘mask zones’ are being produced and will be posted by Friday this week. These signs will indicate outdoor locations where physical distancing is not generally possible and thus masks are required for all people over the age of 2, regardless of vaccination status. Mask zones are located in the following areas:
- Mather Point, Hopi Point, Bright Angel Point, Cape Royal, and Point Imperial, including their access trails
- Grand Canyon Visitor Center Plaza and trails north to the rim as signed
- Desert View north of the parking lot as signed
- Trails and viewpoints around the North Rim Lodge and North Rim Visitor Center as signed
- North Kaibab trailhead and parking lot
- Rim Trail from Verkamps to Bright Angel Trailhead
- All bus stops
- All entrance stations
Reporting exposure to COVID and COVID-like symptoms is critical to limiting transmission
- If you think you may have been exposed to COVID, regardless of your vaccination status, immediately isolate and report your situation to your supervisor and Public Health Consultant Ronan King, and await their instructions.
- Following this protocol and Ronan’s instructions is extremely important so that any community spread can be contained.
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Public Health Contacts
If you test positive for COVID-19, immediately inform your supervisor and our NPS Public Health Consultant. This is to ensure proper public health protocols are followed and that any exposure is minimized.
- Ronan King, Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Public Health Service (currently out of park)
- Mobile: (202) 891-8599
- Email: ronan_king@nps.gov
- For all email correspondence, please also cc: Chris Glime, Captain, U.S. Public Health Service
- Mobile: (202) 641-3518
- Email: christen_glime@nps.gov
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Clinic Updates
Starting Tuesday, Sept 7, the Clinic will revert to their off-season hours, which are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday-Friday.
Testing
- Saliva testing is available at the Grand Canyon Clinic Monday-Wednesday before 11 a.m. at no cost. Please call to schedule a time and pre-register with the ASU testing portal before coming to the clinic. Those without appointments or without portal accounts may face long waits or may be rescheduled for the following day, depending on clinic workload.
- Nasal swab testing is available 7 days a week, with results expected within approximately 48 hours for swab samples collected before 2 p.m. Please call ahead for appointments.
COVID test results are taking approximately 48 hours from the time the specimen reaches the lab, so tests collected on Monday would likely get results late Wednesday or on Thursday morning. This is a result of increased demand for testing across the state and additional workload on the lab facilities.
Vaccines
To date, 2,478 total doses have been administered at the clinic with 1,277 individuals fully vaccinated. Demand for new vaccinations remains low, but the Clinic remains ready to ramp up if the demand increases. Please call the Clinic to schedule a vaccination if you are not yet vaccinated.
Third doses for the Moderna vaccine are available for those who have a documented immunocompromised condition. Patients should call the clinic to schedule, and should be prepared to provide documentation of their immunocompromised condition. The Clinic expects guidance on boosters for others in the coming weeks.
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Messages and Grand Canyon News
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Suicide Awareness Taskforce Initiated
Last week, we reported on resources that are available to assist those who are struggling with mental health experiences.
One suicide is too many, and we want to recognize that suicide and mental health are very real and challenging issues for all of us. For those of you that have struggled with mental health experiences and have sought help when you needed it, we want to recognize you for the strength it takes to seek help. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of strength and resilience.
Superintendent Keable has asked Deputy Superintendent Brian Drapeaux to lead a task force that will evaluate resources we are providing for mental health and suicide prevention in the park, and make recommendations for what we can do better. This team will look at a variety of sources for input on how to tackle this issue, including health and wellness survey data. The team will create practical guidance for employees and community members to recognize and act when someone may be contemplating suicide.
We understand this is a community-wide issue, so the task force will involve concessioners and partners in this effort.
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Firewood Permits Available for Locals Beginning in Mid-September
Beginning in mid September, locals interested in obtaining firewood for collection within the park from NPS identified locations must have a permit that can be obtained by emailing grca_information@nps.gov. You will need to provide your first and last name, address, and the dates/times preferred for pickup of the physical permit from the park Headquarters building, located at 20 South Entrance Road, Grand Canyon. As a reminder, all permit requirements must be followed:
- Permits are required for all firewood collection within Grand Canyon National Park boundaries.
- There are no limits to the amount of firewood collected, however, firewood must only be collected from “collection zones” listed on permit map.
- Permit holders must be in physical possession of firewood permit at all times
- Wood must only be collected from established piles (must be collected as is)
- Permit holders must park off road and not impede traffic flow while not driving into the forest.
*Note: if locals need to pick up an NPS Arrowhead sticker for their windshield, you can also email grca_information@nps.gov to set up an appointment time.
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Shuttle Bus Changes
Starting this week the Hikers’ Express bus will leave at 5, 6 and 7 a.m. The October schedule has departures at 6, 7, and 8 a.m., and in November the bus will leave at 7, 8, and 9 a.m.
The last day for the Visitor Center-Hermit Road Express Bus is Friday, Sept 10.
More information on the shuttle bus schedule can be found on the park’s website.
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GCC Celebration of Art Kicks off in September
The 13th annual Celebration of Art kicks off this month at Grand Canyon. Beginning September 11th, artists will be coming to the South Rim to paint outside on location for one week. During this time, the public will be able to view the artists as they paint, capturing the ever-changing light and shadows of the canyon.
This year’s event will be a hybrid of on-site and online programming to welcome a wide variety of art enthusiasts. Here is the current schedule of events.
- Now through September 18: Interested people can view the online catalog and preview studio paintings. Studio painting intent-to-purchase request forms are available to submit online, and are linked from each painting in the catalog.
- September 3-18: There will be an online silent auction featuring specially selected original pieces from each participating artist.
- September 11-17: Artists will be painting “en plein air” (or, outside on location) throughout the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.
- September 17: A featured artist will paint outside near Verkamp’s Visitor Center from 3 – 6 p.m.
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Grand Canyon Music Festival
The 38th season of the Grand Canyon Music Festival begins this Friday and Saturday, September 3rd and 4th, with performances by the Catalyst Quartet in the Shrine of Ages Auditorium. Doors open at 7 pm, and the concert starts at 7:30 pm. Suggested donation is $20. COVID mitigations, including mask requirements, will be in place.
The Catalyst Quartet ensemble redefines and reimagines the classical music experience with cutting edge work by Jessie Montgomery’s “Strum”, and Florence Price’s interpretation of traditional folksongs. A link to more information is available here.
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Behind the Scenery Podcast
Episode #15, In the Field with Emergency Services Volunteer, Bob Derr
Bob Derr has been volunteering on the North Rim of Grand Canyon for six years as a battalion chief and paramedic. Join the North Rim Division of Interpretation and Canyon Interpretation staff as they interview Bob and find out what volunteering means to him after all these years.
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Leadership Spotlight
Park management is working to ensure key leadership positions are filled as quickly as possible so National Park Service (NPS) employees have the support they need to get their jobs done. Over the next several weeks we’ll be spotlighting some of our new leaders here at the park.
Deputy Chief Ranger of Interpretation & Education, AJ Lapre
AJ Lapre has been selected as the Deputy Chief of Interpretation and Resource Education. Prior to starting his NPS career, AJ served in the military as an Army Ranger for a couple you years, then he was transfer to the Korean DMZ where he ran patrols. After the military, AJ went to college and then started a career in outdoor education with the Sandia Mountain Natural History Center as an educator and outreach coordinator.
In 2009, AJ got his first position at Grand Canyon as Term GS-5 Park Guide. Since then, AJ has worked his way up while here at Grand Canyon. He moved into a permanent Park Guide position in 2010 and before the end of that year he was promoted to a GS-5/7/9 Park Ranger at Phantom Ranch. He served as a park ranger in the inner canyon for two years, and then in 2012, he was selected to be the Lead Park Ranger at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center as it was remodeled, and the theater was opened that year.
In 2015, AJ was promoted to a GS-11 Supervisory Park Ranger as a Village District Interpreter. He became a supervisor, managed the seasonal program, and was asked to manage the Canyon Field Schools Program for one year. In 2018, AJ was promoted into the Branch Chief of Interpretation as the Division reorganized itself.
AJ has taken on many other roles besides interpretation over the years. He has been especially interested in improving physical and psychological safety in the workplace and he found opportunities to do so in the workplace. He is an Operational Leadership facilitator and he helped write and introduce to the NPS the Operational Leadership 8-hour Supervisor class. He is also a Workforce and Inclusion Directorate Workforce Ambassador, which is a group of NPS employees from across the service trained to work with the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey and how to engage employees and leaders in the use of the survey. He is also a Green Dot Bystander Intervention facilitator and is a member of the NPS National Safety Leadership Council. AJ believes that all workplaces should be respectful, inclusive, safe, and engaging in order to foster the best possible work culture.
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Current Operational Hours
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South Rim
- Maswik Lodge Cafeteria: 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Bright Angel Fountain and Coffee House, 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Yavapai Lodge Tavern and Patio, 12-10 p.m.
- Yavapai Lodge Coffee Shop, 6 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Canyon Village Market, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Deli-7 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Bright Angel Bikes, Rentals: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Cafe: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Kolb Studio: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Grand Canyon Visitor Center information table: 8a.m.-5p.m.
- Xanterra bus tours resume September 3: After being suspended since March 2020, Xanterra’s skilled drivers will resume presenting interpretive tours of the South Rim’s canyon overlooks on Friday. Visitors can choose from several options: the Desert View Tour (which is 52 miles in 4 hours, at a cost of $78) Hermits Rest Tour (16 miles in 2 hours, $44), and the Sunrise and Sunset tours (1 hour, $33 each).
Desert View
- Desert View Trading Post Coffee and Ice Cream and Market, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
- Desert View Watchtower, staffed by GCC Saturday-Wednesday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The Watchtower will be closed to the public on Thursdays and Fridays.
- Desert View Information Table (staffed by NPS), 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. The table is located on the north side of the main parking lot, in front of the building on the left side of the Orientation Plaza.
- Desert View Campground is open. Reservations can be made via www.recreation.gov.
North Rim
- General Store, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily
- Roaring Springs Overlook Kiosk, NPS staffed from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. daily
- North Rim Visitor Center, GCC staffed from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
- North Rim Lodge dining, 4:30-9:30 p.m. daily
- Deli in the Pines, 6 a.m.-7:30 p.m. daily
- Rough Rider Saloon, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. daily
The following park closures remain in place:
- South Rim Visitor Center (indoors), information table staffed 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. daily
- Headquarters Information Desk
- Yavapai Lodge Restaurant
- Maswik Pizza Pub, Arizona Steak House, and Fred Harvey Burger
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