News Release
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Contact: Hugh Hawthorne, 410-629-6080
Berlin MD - Beginning Wednesday, October 12, 2022, the Life of the Marsh Trail and Life of the Forest Trail will be closed for construction. The closure will affect both the nature trail and parking in each area. Trails and parking lots will be closed to vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians.
This project is necessary to reconstruct the deteriorating sections of each trail and both overlooks. These trails were severely damaged as a result of hurricane Sandy in October of 2012. While the boardwalks were replaced and elevated, the overlooks were not. These structures have continued to age and the trails no longer meet current ADA specifications. The new trail construction will provide additional seating and wheelchair access with improved observation areas.
This project was funded by park entrance and pass fees and is an example of your fee dollars at work. 80% of all revenue from Assateague Island National Park Entrance fees or the local sales of the various Federal Interagency Passes stays right here in the park to fund this type of visitor related project. The other 20% goes into a fund which can be used by parks with no entrance fee or very low fee revenues. Examples of projects funded in the last year are the new Boardwalk at the Maryland Visitor Center, Renovation of Well #1 on the island, Design of a new Freshwater Distribution system for the island, reconstruction of the state line fence, and replacement of the entrance sign at the visitor center. The Old Ferry Landing recreation area is undergoing reconstruction that began in September, 2022.
The length of the closure is difficult to predict at this time, as construction is very weather dependent. Reconstruction is expected to be completed no later than March of 2023.
For general information about the Seashore and park activities access the park’s web site at www.nps.gov/asis
Last updated: October 11, 2022