In what can only be described as an intergalactic mix-up of historic proportions, the government has inadvertently approved a bill intended to fund national parks—but ended up allocating the entire budget to support extraterrestrial parks instead. Officials say the confusion stemmed from a misplaced comma and a very ambitious civil servant’s over-enthusiastic use of the word “space.”
The bill, originally drafted to improve walking trails, upgrade visitor centers, and protect endangered species across the country’s picturesque landscapes, somehow morphed into legislation earmarked for the creation and maintenance of parks… in outer space. According to insiders, the phrase “national parks” was mistakenly interpreted as “interstellar parks that welcome all species from any nation, including those beyond Earth.”
The newly funded Extraterrestrial Parks Authority (EPA—not to be confused with the Environmental Protection Agency) has already announced plans to construct zero-gravity zip-lines on Mars, alien botanical gardens on Titan, and a UFO-shaped visitor center on the Moon. “We’re thrilled to launch what we believe will be the first truly universal park system,” said EPA spokesperson Zog-7 from the Andromeda sector in a holographic press release. “Visitors from across the galaxy can expect ponds that float instead of freeze, craters perfect for moonbouncing, and picnicking spots under three suns.”
The Ministry for Earthly Parks was reportedly left dumbfounded at the finance committee meeting when it was explained that the £500 million budget would not be appearing in domestic park accounts. “We were just about to announce grants for new toilet facilities at Stanhope Forest when we heard about the Martian money,” said one official, who wished to remain anonymous but claims to have “never seen such a space-tastrophe in government history.”
Back on Earth, environmentalists and hikers expressed mixed feelings about the unintended shift in focus. “It’s sort of exciting, but I’m still hoping someone remembers that the countryside needs a bit of TLC too,” said local rambler and amateur astronomer Maggie Collins. “I wouldn’t mind visiting an alien park someday, but not when my local footpath looks like it’s been through a tornado.”
Parliament is now hurriedly working on an emergency bill to redirect funds back to Earth, but until then, residents can expect intergalactic themed walking festivals and perhaps even rocket launches to coincide with traditional camping weekends. Some cheeky pranksters have already started calling for “Area 51 National Trails” and “UFO Safari Holidays.”
Meanwhile, conspiracy theorists, long convinced that aliens are among us, are celebrating this budget blunder as proof the government is finally getting serious about welcoming our cosmic neighbors. One enthusiast commented, “I always knew the truth was out there—it just got a bit more official.”
Whether this unexpected funding diversion ushers in the dawn of alien tourism or simply becomes a footnote in bureaucratic bloopers remains to be seen. What is certain is that the phrase “thinking outside the box” has taken on a whole new meaning— quite literally reaching for the stars.