Editor, Ceres Courier,

We were in Yosemite National Park, the jewel in the crown of the system, last month. The weather was spectacular, but due to climate change, the rivers are low—but wonderful for swimming and gazing. The park has eliminated the reservation system that I thought was working really well to control overcrowding and delays and traffic jams. In my opinion, removing the system was a really bad decision, especially based upon all the media coverage of tourists waiting hours in line to get into the park, traffic, no parking spaces in the valley, crowded trails, etc.

That notwithstanding, our personal experience was a very brief 15-minute wait at the south entrance and no unmanageable traffic. I encourage people to take advantage of the wonders of our national parks. The bad press depresses attendance and really adversely affects the “gateway communities” and vendors within the park by reducing the tourist traffic on which they survive.

Cuts in the budget have reduced the number of rangers and other park employees, further stressing the park’s ability to support the visitors and reducing the enjoyment of visiting our wonderful national parks. So, your readers should consider ways in which to support the parks and ensure their availability to survive and thrive for future generations, not just today’s visitors.

Joe W. Hilberman

LETTERS POLICY: Letters will be considered for publication but must be signed and include an address and phone number. Letters should be 250 words or less and be void of libel. Send to The Ceres Courier, P.O. Box 1958, Manteca, CA 95336 or emailed to jeffb@cerescourier.com.