News Release

Progress of Carl Sandburg Home NHS Clean Up Efforts

Trail wshout from Hurricane Helene

NPS

News Release Date: November 14, 2024 Efforts continue to safely reopen Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site after the impact of Hurricane Helene. While many positive steps have been taken, there is much work left to do before the park can safely reopen to the public.

Saw crews have been able to cut over 50 downed and hazard trees from Carl Sandburg Lane and park trails. The next step is to remove the debris and a contract for debris removal is set to begin next week.

Hurricane Helene also washed out two pedestrian bridges along Front Lake trail and severely eroded the banks on which the bridges sat. The park is working towards either placing temporary bridges in these areas or possibly re-routing this section of Front Lake trail. This repair is the park’s top priority, so the Front Lake trail and parking lot can reopen. Without this trail there is no way to access the park from the Front Lake parking lot. This lot is the main parking area for most of the site’s 150,000 annual visitors.

Front Lake dam and bridge suffered further destruction by Hurricane Helene. The new damage is substantial, and repairs will take a long time.
Park staff have begun to fill in minor washouts along trails throughout the park. There are some trails that experienced significant washout from the volume of water running downhill and will need more advanced inspection and repair before they are safe for use.

After washouts have been repaired and debris has been removed from park grounds, parking lots, and 5 miles of trails, the park will bring in portable restrooms and hand washing stations, as the park’s main sewer pipe is broken. The pipe supported most of the park and water has been temporarily shut off until contractors can begin repairs. The sewer line repairs are one of the park’s top priorities.

“We miss our visitors and know that you miss being in the park,” said Superintendent Polly Angelakis. “We ask for your continued patience as we work to safely reopen.”

Please follow the park’s Facebook page or nps.gov/carl for updates.

 www.nps.gov/carl

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 411 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at www.nps.gov.