Lady Liberty's crown closed for good

WASHINGTON — Tourists won't be climbing back up to the Statue of Liberty's crown.

The crown has been closed since the 2001 terrorist attacks. On Wednesday, the National Park Service said letting people climb the cramped spiral staircase again is simply too hazardous because of risks from fire and terrorism.

In a letter to Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., outgoing Park Service Director Fran Mainella said, "The current access patterns reflect a responsible management strategy in the best interests of all our visitors."

Another congressman, who oversees the House subcommittee on national parks, said he may hold hearings to re-examine the agency's decision.

"While I respect the Park Service's justified concern for public safety, I am disappointed with their apparent decision to stop trying," said Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M. "Americans have a right to hear something better from their National Park Service than the implied message of this letter, which is 'never.' "

The statue sits on 12-acre Liberty Island in New York Harbor. After spending $20 million on security and safety improvements, the government reopened the statue in 2004 but only up to the top of the pedestal, or Lady Liberty's toes.

Sen. Charles Schumer, who led a Senate vote earlier in the year to try to force the reopening of the crown, said the agency still has not explained why the crown remains closed while the Washington Monument stairs are open.

"In this case, freedom has given way to fear," said Schumer, D-N.Y. "One of my favorite memories as a child was going up to the top of the Statue of Liberty and looking out of her crown to what I thought were the ends of the Earth. Now, generations of kids and adults will be denied that opportunity."