Grand Canyon National Park
Key Messages – Week of September 6, 2021
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COVID Case Count Updates
In COVID-19 news, community transmission remains in the “high” category in Coconino County, the state of Arizona, and for the majority of the U.S.
Case numbers in Arizona decreased slightly this week to 3,101 new cases per day compared to last week’s average of 3,198.
We remain committed to providing you the latest news of transmission in the park.
As of Tuesday, there have been a total of 237 cases in the 86023 zip code since the beginning of the pandemic. There have been 56 cases in the park.
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Local COVID Updates
Reminder for masks and physical distancing
Masks and physical distancing are still very important measures to take to mitigate the spread of Covid-19. Whether you are in the park or traveling somewhere outside of the park, having a mask handy and avoiding crowded areas is always a smart practice.
Cases are still high across the country. Not only do these measures help protect you, but they also protect others, and help prevent the spread of Covid. Don’t get caught up in Covid fatigue.
As a quick reminder, masks are required on all public transportation and in all buildings on federal lands. There are also outdoor mask zones within the park that are labeled with signs. The updated third edition of the 2021 Superintendent’s Compendium now includes a list these outdoor mask zones (pages 5-6 of the Compendium). 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
- 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 this week, the Clinic has transitioned to their winter hours, which are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday-Friday.
This week the clinic reported no new documented positive cases. At this time, there are no additional updates on the status of booster vaccines and when they may become available.
As a reminder, third doses for the Moderna vaccine are now available for those who have a documented immunocompromised condition. Patients should call the clinic to schedule an appointment and should be prepared to provide documentation of their condition.
The Clinic continues to provide COVID testing as well as vaccines for those not already vaccinated. For more information, please visit the Clinic’s website or call 928-638-2551 during regular business hours.
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Messages and Grand Canyon News
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September 11 Remembrance
September 11, 2001 changed more than a New York City skyline. That day’s devastation changed an entire generation of Americans and the world. This day remains a cornerstone in modern U.S. and global history. Many of us can still vividly remember exactly where we were, what we were doing, and the emotions that came soon after news of the attacks happened early that morning.
To commemorate this day, Patriot Day is now annually observed on September 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance for the thousands of lives lost in the 9/11 attacks.
This year, Vice President Kamala Harris, former President George W. Bush, and Interior Secretary Deb Haaland will attend the 20th annual September 11 observance at the Flight 93 Memorial.
- The ceremony will begin on Saturday, September 11 at 9:45 Eastern Daylight Time and will be live-streamed on the park’s Facebook page. At 10:03 a.m., the moment Flight 93 crashed, the names of the passengers and crew members with the ringing of the Bells of Remembrance.
Photo above: Flight 93 Memorial at sunset, NPS Photo/C. Claycomb
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September is National Wilderness Month
During this time period, we affirm that our Nation’s public lands and waters must be accessible to all Americans, and recognize that our lands and waters can revitalize the soul and solidify our respect for the natural wonders that surround us and the earth we share, and we recommit to their preservation and protection, today and for future generations.
50 national park units have designated wilderness, totaling more than 44 million acres. Many national park units have “other categories of wilderness” – lands not designated, but managed as wilderness per NPS policy. Together with NPS designated wilderness, this means over 80 percent of all NPS lands are managed as wilderness.
Here at Grand Canyon, approximately 94% of the park is proposed for wilderness designation and it is our responsibility to manage it in such a way as the integrity of the park is protected now and into the future.
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Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Training
In order to provide more uniform and efficient service to the greater Grand Canyon community, Grand Canyon National Park and the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office maintain a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to provide law enforcement and search and rescue assistance to each other in the park and throughout the county.
Continuing to build on this relationship, command staff from the Sheriff’s office were in the park this week providing training to Grand Canyon law enforcement staff on county and state law enforcement values, policies, and procedures.
This additional training will allow rangers to more easily interact with the state criminal justice system, provide additional services to the community, and do so in a more timely fashion. The Grand Canyon law enforcement staff is very grateful to the Sheriff’s office for extending their support to our program.
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South Rim District Report Available
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Grand Canyon Celebration of Art this Weekend!
The 13th Annual Grand Canyon Celebration of Art begins this Saturday, September 11. A total of 25 artists will be spending one week on the South Rim painting “en plein air” along the rim.
The Celebration of Art is one of GCC’s most successful fundraisers of the year and works to establish a dedicated art venue in the park and to also provide art programming to the public. Locals and park visitors will have the opportunity to watch the artists paint as they seek to represent shifting light and shadows, landforms, and the extraordinary colors of this vast landscape. Most artists prefer to paint in the mornings and evenings when the canyon is most vibrant.
We encourage everyone to attend this event and observe the artists; please be respectful of the artists by practicing physical distancing of at least six feet and wearing a mask at all times.
Works produced from the event will be available for purchase online and on display at historic Kolb Studio for a four-month sale and exhibition beginning on September 19. For more details on this event visit the Grand Canyon Conservancy’s website. Photo above: Dawn Sutherland paints “en plein air” at the Mather Amphitheater in 2019 (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)
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National Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off next week
September 15 to October 15 is celebrated nationwide as National Hispanic Heritage Month. It traditionally honors the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latino Americans as we celebrate heritage rooted in all Latin American countries. During this month and throughout the year, we, and our partners, share history, heritage, and accomplishments of Hispanic and Latino Americans of past and present. More information can be found here:
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Grand Canyon Music Festival
On September 10 and 11, members of the Manhattan Chamber Players will join artistic director Clare Hoffman in concerts featuring Piano Quartets by Brahms and Schumann, and works by Beethoven and J.C. Bach. These performances will both be held at the Shrine of the Ages at 7:30 p.m. Doors will open at 7 p.m. with a suggested donation of $20. On Friday, September 17, the School of Rock student performance will be held at the McKee Amphitheater, behind the Shrine of the Ages, beginning at 5 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. These programs offer park residents and visitors a terrific opportunity to enjoy live music. We would like to thank the festival’s organizers for creating this opportunity for us. More information can be found on the GCMF website.
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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.
Superintendent of Albright Training Center, Susan Farrell
We welcome Susan Farrell as the newly appointed Superintendent of the Albright Training Center here in Grand Canyon.
Susan Farrell joins the NPS from her position as the Bureau of Reclamation’s (USBR) Learning & Development Officer. In this position she was part of the HR Policy Office, managing Bureau-wide supervisory and leadership development programs, reviewing and revising policy, and leading employee development strategic planning.
Her government career has also included positions at the Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR), Office of Aviation Services (OAS), U.S. Customs & Border Protection, and FEMA. Susan’s extensive career has encompassed many disciplines including: training management and development, leadership and supervisor programs, competency-based employee development, instructional design, organizational development, human resources, communications, diversity and inclusion, commodities and budget analysis, program and project management, and much more.
When Susan is not working, she enjoys visiting family and friends, reading, writing, crafting, gardening, spending time in nature, and traveling.
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Canyon Community Yoga
Beginning on September 13, two yoga classes will be offered per week on Monday and Wednesday evenings at the Grand Canyon Rec Center. All levels are welcome for both classes and donations are accepted. Mats and props are available for use. More information is available on the Canyon Community Yoga website. Mondays 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Piano Room w/ Samantha
- Space is limited, so show up early to reserve your space
- Masks are required inside the Rec Center
Wednesdays 6:30-7:30 p.m. outside under the Ramada w/ Stephanie
- Will continue to meet outside while weather permits, so dress accordingly
Tusayan Community Gathering
On Thursday, September 16, the Town of Tusayan will be hosting a Community Gathering at the Tusayan Sports Complex beginning at 5 p.m. Free food, games, music, and giveaways will be available. A flyer to the event can be found here. Grand Canyon Food Pantry
Beginning October 1, the Grand Canyon Food Pantry, located at 87 Sunset Dr., will be shifting to their winter hours.
New winter hours will be: Mondays: 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Wednesdays: 12-2 p.m., Saturdays: 2-4 p.m.
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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.
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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