Date: April 17, 2008
Contact: Dave Shockley, (804) 732-0171

From May 4-11, 2008 portions of three trails at Petersburg National Battlefield will be closed while work is done to clear hazardous trees in and around World War I trenches. Approximately 30 people including personnel from the National Park Service and a "Hot Shot" crew from the U.S. Forest Service will work to cut and clear hazardous trees caused by Hurricane Isabel.

Trails affected are:

Friend Trail, Battery 7 Trail, and Meade Station Trail.

The work is necessary to:

- Eliminate the excessive fuel loads that could support a wildland fire.

- Protect the WWI "training trenches" that were constructed by soldiers from Camp Lee during the war era.

- Enhance the interpretation of the site.

- Improve the aesthetics of the park.

Park superintendent Bob Kirby said, "We regret these trail closures will adversely affect the visitor experience for many trail users, especially equestrian riders, but in order to complete this important work in the time we have allotted, we must limit trail access in certain locations for the week. Every effort will be made to minimize the impact to our visitors during this project."