Hot Springs National Park in Garland County, Arkansas is unique among the America’s National Parks as it’s main attraction are historic bathhouses which visitors can enjoy as a perfect compliment after hiking its 26 miles of hiking trails. The Bathhouse Row consists of eight unique bathhouse buildings built between 1892 and 1923. This natural wonder was designated the first federal reservation by President Andrew Jackson in 1832, predating Yellowstone National Park by 40 years and some consider it the America’s first national park.
Whether you’re after a hike or soak, Hot Spring National Park is the place to go but after a recent spat of vandalism park officials took to social media to discourage visitors from leaving their mark at the historic location. The problem of cleaning up graffiti in the park is so persistent that certain rock walls have been rubbed smooth from constant scrubbing:
“Nobody wants your edgelord naughty words written all over the park.” -HSNP
As a reminder to National Park visitors, graffiti is not only in poor taste, it is a class B misdemeanor with punishment up to a $5,000 fine and six months in jail.
HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK:
Ew, David. And Clarissa.
Y’all, we need to have a talk about vandalism. Seriously, enough is enough. If you sat and thought about how many of your taxpayer dollars were being spent to clean up after you, you would think twice before popping the lid off that marker or carving your name into a sign. A couple of tips to consider if you suddenly feel the need to deface public property:
-If you really need people to know that you were here, tag us in a social media post.
-If you are looking to declare your love to your sweetie, try a cute note. On paper, not our walls.
-We’re pretty certain that whatever deity you worship wouldn’t want you spreading their message by committing petty crime.
-Nobody wants your edgelord naughty words written all over the park. Other children who are younger than you visit Hot Springs and they don’t need to see that kind of language.
-If you find a nice, flat, smooth spot on a rock wall that looks like a good place to draw, it’s because we’ve scrubbed that spot so many times that it’s actually wearing the rock away. Please don’t make us do it again.
Please, we’re begging you, take only pictures and leave only footprints.
For information about Leave No Trace Principles and responsible outdoor recreation, visit https://www.nps.gov/…/leave-no-trace-seven-principles.htm
