Interesting to see someone else point this out.

I have noticed the pattern and changes (born 1960) over the years, and always considered the shutdown of park to be a case of very cleverly placed "Public Histrionics." Most people don't care that much about some agency in an old building where they have to stand in line for 90 minutes... but shut down parks hits us in our previous vacation time, while we have a car full of whining kids. What better way to sway even semi-awake citizens towards going "Oh, WHAT-ever..." and exert pressure for a new round of meaningless spending...