Delta Grant Opens Atlanta Martin Luther King Jr. Historical Park

Atlanta - Due to the government shutdown, many historical sites are closed. The National Park Service will use a grant from Delta Air Lines and fee revenues

to reopen the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical

Park in Atlanta despite the government shutdown.

The historic park opened Saturday for 16 days so people in Atlanta can celebrate King's legacy in advance of the holiday on Monday and travelers attending the Super Bowl game on February 3 have a chance to visit the sites, the park service said.

An $83,500 grant from the Delta Air Lines Foundation will cover the cleanup, administration, maintenance and operating costs of employees not covered under recreation fee funds.

"This is yet another example of private organizations stepping up to ensure that our visitors from across the nation and around the world are able to have a meaningful experience at national parks," said David L. Bernhardt, acting secretary of the Interior.

In a statement, Delta CEO and trustee of the Delta Air Lines Foundation Ed Bastian said the group "felt it was important we do our part to ensure that the historical landmarks be accessible to the public."

"Dr. King was about bringing people together and at Delta, we are about making the world a smaller place," he added.

Read full article: Newschannel5.com

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