Fort Payne- The Little River Canyon Center is expected to soon see some changes, as it has been listed as part of the governments Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) recent spending cuts.
The Canyon Center is owned and operated by Jacksonville State University with a portion leased to the National Parks Services (NPS) and staff of the Little River Canyon National Preserve.
That NPS lease is expected to be terminated by the end of the year; the park and Canyon Center are remaining open, with only the offices leased by the NPS expected to close.
The NPS has the park featured on its website: https://www.nps.gov/liri/index.htm
The Jacksonville State Website has the following description of the park listed on its Website: https://www.jsu.edu/epic/canyoncenter/
“Open to the public since 2009, the Little River Canyon Center is a Jacksonville State University building located in Northeast Alabama that adjoins the Little River Canyon National Preserve in the city of Fort Payne. With a portion leased to the National Park Service and the staff of the Little River Canyon National Preserve, the facility features a Grand Hall, HD movie theater, gift shop, natural history library, exhibits, classrooms, back deck, outdoor amphitheater and trails for both education and adventure. It is available to rent for meetings, social gatherings, corporate retreats and other special events.
The Canyon Center features a regular schedule of programs that include concerts, workshops, hikes, lectures, and other activities for students of all ages. The building itself is educational as it is LEED (Leadership for Energy and Environmental Design) Silver Certified structure that utilizes geothermal heating and cooling, recycled materials, added insulation and many other innovative and sustainable design elements.”
There are no changes or disruptions to the services or programs provided that are anticipated at this time.
According to JSU President Dr. Don C. Killingsorth, the closures of the NPS offices will not have an effect on the Canyon Center staying open. He stated that JSU will continue to manage and maintain the facility. Here is his statement, now available below:
“Jacksonville State University remains committed to the Little River Canyon Center’s ongoing operations and programming despite the recent announcement of the closure of the National Park Service’s office there, which is set for December 31, 2025. Jax State’s role in managing and maintaining the Canyon Center will remain unchanged, and we do not anticipate any disruptions to our services, educational programs, or community engagement efforts. The Canyon Center will continue to serve as a hub for conservation, research, and outdoor recreation for visitors, students, and faculty alike. As we move forward, we will work closely with our partners and stakeholders to evaluate any potential impacts and ensure the continued success of this important facility. We appreciate the ongoing support of our community and look forward to many more years of serving the public at the Little River Canyon Center. “
The closings are part of 34 offices that function as visitor centers, law enforcement offices, and museums.
You can download the full list of those 34 closures listed here from the National Parks Conservation Association website: https://npca.s3.amazonaws.com/docs/734/31b4f925-5ce4-489a-8479-bd6137084889.pdf?1741036285
This is a developing story, and we will continue to look for more information and update this story as that information becomes available.
