Mark,
I agree with you about the public accounting aspect of this situation. The park service should fix the barrier for safety sake, at the very least. Maybe they found a much more serious need for your "donation."
I doub't that the person receiving insurance funds even knows what the money is for.
I too love our parks. We, as a nation, are very blessed with our public lands.
I am glad you escaped injury from this accident. I would still be pulling seat cushion from my hind end.
Lendell