Glade Creek Closures In Effect

Date: June 18, 2013
Contact: Robin Snyder, 304-640-0724

Glen, West Virginia, June 18, 2013 – New River Gorge National River is coordinating service projects during the 2013 National Scout Jamboree with hundreds of scouts that will provide improved trail access for visitors and community members. The park will host mobility impaired scouts with their troops on Friday, July 19th who will work alongside park staff to construct accessible fishing, camping, parking and picnic areas at the popular Glade Creek location in the Middle Gorge. While the NPS is excited to provide improvements to park recreation sites to local West Virginians and other visitors who are mobility impaired, preparation and construction at these locations will cause temporary closures in June and July.

NPS site preparation of locations at Glade Creek for the service projects are as follows:

Glade Creek – Hamlet Trail Day Use Area.
This project will allow a van accessible parking space, accessible picnic area, and a trail to the bridge.

Closure:         June 18th – 24, Monday through Thursday from 6:00AM – 4:30 PM.

Open: June 18th – 24th, Friday through Sunday, and June 25th – July 17th full-time.

Hamlet Bridge Expansion for Accessible Fishing.
This project will include an expansion from the bridge to allow mobility impaired visitors a place to fish.

Closure:         June 18th – July 5th.

Open: July 6th – July 17th

Glade Creek Trailhead Improvements. 
This project will provide an accessible parking area, a crosswalk from the parking space to the trailhead entrance, an accessible picnic area, and an accessible information kiosk. 

Closure:         June 18th – July 5th, Monday through Thursday from 6:00 AM – 4:30 PM.

Open: June 18 – July 5th, Friday through Sunday and July 6th – July 17th full-time.

Glade Creek Trail.
This project will provide 550 feet of accessible trail along this popular area and a viewing area at the upper pool.

Closure:         June 18 – July 5th, Monday through Thursday from 6:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Open: June 18th – July 5th, Friday through Sunday and July 6th – 17th full-time.

Glade Creek Accessible Camp Site 
This project includes refurbishing the campsite and the path to the comfort station as well as providing accessible parking at the campsite and the comfort station.

Closure:         June 24th – July 11th.

Open: July 12th – 17th

Glade Creek River Picnic Area
This project will provide visitors an accessible parking and picnic area. (Note: River Access is available. This is just an area near the parking lot).

Closure:         June 18 – June 24th.

Open: June 25th – July 17th

All of these locations will be completely closed for construction from Thursday, July 18th through Saturday, July 20th and will reopen on Sunday, July 21st. During this time, visitors can use the Grandview Sandbar river access, but the remainder of the road to Glade Creek locations will be closed. Please plan your visit accordingly. Park updates will be posted to the park’s website at www.nps.gov/neri. You can also find updates on the park’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/newrivergorgenps. Check out the park’s trail newspaper at https://www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/hiking.htmfor alternative hiking locations in the park. For questions, please contact Robin Snyder at 304-640-0724.
 
The partnership between NPS and BSA will provide scouts an opportunity to work one-on-one with NPS employees who can serve as mentors during the accessibility project that will expand opportunities for visitors. According to park superintendent Trish Kicklighter, “This project will result in improved access for mobility-impaired visitors and all visitors will enjoy greater access to fish, camp, picnic and recreate in the gorge.”
 
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