Last month’s 16-day partial government shutdown is a fading memory for park rangers at Cane River Creole National Historical Park in Natchitoches. They’ve resumed their 90-minute walking tours in downtown Natchitoches. In all, 15 rangers at the park were furloughed during the shutdown, including Nathan Hatfield. He’s the park’s chief of interpretation. He said it didn’t take long to get the park humming again. The walking tours are being expanded during the holidays.
"They’ve been a hit," Hatfield said. "It’s been a great way for park rangers help visitors understand the diverse history of the Natchitoches and the Cane River area.”
The half-mile tour begins at the Natchitoches Historic Foundation in the heart of the historic district. Tours are at 10 a.m. Thursday through Saturday, with a second tour added at 3 p.m. on Saturdays.