Taking the lead in V.I.P. program...
For the National Park Service, a VIP
event doesn't mean black tie and jacket. The Blue Ridge Parkway's VIPs are Volunteers in
Parks - community members who blaze and maintain trails, perform traditional music,
demonstrate old-time crafts such as weaving and spinning, serve in the visitor centers
along the Parkway and assist rangers with resource management needs.
The Blue Ridge Parkway has asked FRIENDS to take a lead role in moving the VIP
program forward, recognizing the vital need for volunteerism in national parks. In 2001,
the Volunteer in Parks Program provided the Blue Ridge Parkway with 461 volunteers and
33,522 hours of service. The NPS' goal is to increase the number of volunteers by 44% by
2005. Friends' objective is to help the Blue Ridge Parkway exceed its goal.
"FRIENDS has openly and
enthusiastically embraced the challenge of supporting our Volunteers In the Parks Program
as one of their primary duties," says Superintendent Dan Brown. "We
wholeheartedly welcome their assistance. The parkway needs assistance in managing a
volunteer corps that numbers in the hundreds and FRIENDS has the capability to track,
motivate, organize and recognize that kind of workforce, as well as the 'culture to want
to.'"
Susan Mills, executive director of FRIENDS, is familiar with what volunteers can do.
FRIENDS efforts such as the Viewshed Preservation Projects have already made a difference
along the Parkway, encouraging partnerships between Parkway-area communities and
national-level corporations such as Home Depot. Individuals of all ages and backgrounds
school children, college students, retirees have jumped in with pocketbooks and
shovels to assist in FRIENDS' mission to preserve the environment and culture of the
Parkway corridor.
In November of 2001, in partnership with the NPS, approximately 60 people planted 32 trees
at Aho Gap in Watauga County, organized by FRIENDS. Other viewshed protection plantings
have been organized by FRIENDS near Roanoke, Va.
Sponsoring trail work at Julian Price Park...
A vacation work week? As unlikely as it sounds, this is no mistake.
The Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway, with the assistance of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation and the American Hiking Society and in cooperation with the National Park Service, is inviting volunteers to stay at Julian Price Memorial Park for a week or a weekend to help make a popular hiking trail accessible to everyone.
Price Park is a unique scenic spot on the Blue Ridge Parkway, located just five-miles from Blowing Rock and little more than 10 miles from Boone, N.C.
The major project for the week of June 5-11 will be to build a trail around Price Lake to accommodate handicapped visitors. Volunteers will work on 2,200 feet of trail, leveling the surface, repairing erosion, cleaning and repairing water drainage, and removing encroaching vegetation and fallen trees. Depending on the number of volunteers who sign up, additional maintenance work will be performed on the Boone Fork and Tanawha trails.
The week won’t be all work and no play by any means. Volunteers up to 20 for the week, and an additional 20 for the weekend will camp at the park for free and enjoy evening programs on the environment and local history.
In terms of camp food, volunteers can expect more than the traditional wienies and burgers all week. Chef Burt Myers of Boone's Cafe Portofino will be official camp cook, preparing hot breakfasts and dinners for the participants. Weekend workers will have to make arrangements for their meals but will enjoy both the work and camaraderie of the special program. Volunteers are advised to bring heavy gloves and work shoes, rain gear, glasses or goggles to protect their eyes, and camping gear.
Deadline for applications for the vacation work week is May 1. For more information, visit the Friends website at www.blueridgefriends.org or call 1-800-228-7275
http://www.nps.gov/blri/1press.htm
Revised 03/29/2002
For more information, contact Peter_Givens@nps.gov