The IAP prepared a plan to eliminate the invasive species and restore the original meadows, funding the project from sale of the lumber.

The existing infrastructure had been demolished, but work on the new structures was abandoned due to a moratorium by the state government.

[5] In February 2014 it was reported that the park would reopen in a few months with limited access after a process of structural modernization.

[7] Three "monks" named João Maria played a significant role in Lapa and other parts of Paraná and Santa Catarina.

[8] The third monk was Miguel Lucena de Boaventura, who appeared during the dispute between the governments of Paraná and Santa Catarina over the Contestado territory.

He appealed to the people who had been dispossessed or wronged by the government of the time, arming them and giving them military instruction.

[8] He called himself José Maria de Agostinho, brother of the first monk, and attracted growing numbers of followers.

The monk João Maria D’Agostini lived in the cave for some time, studying the plants of the region, praying, tending the sick and prophesying.