Catoctin Mountain Park Partners with Harpers Ferry Job Corps Center to Renovate Spicebush Nature Trail for Greater Accessibility

Date: September 7, 2011
Contact: Debra Mills, 301-663-9388

In 1965, Catoctin Mountain Park hosted the nation's first Job Corps Camp at Round Meadow. Superintendent Mel Poole is pleased to announce the rekindling of the Catoctin Mountain Park/Job Corps Partnership for renovation of the Spicebush Nature Trail, a 75th Anniversary signature project. Mobility impaired visitors have enjoyed the 0.2 mi., asphalt trail for over 30 years. Renovation of the trail in Chestnut Picnic Area with woodcarpet, an innovative, sustainable and natural- appearing product will provide universal accessibility.

Funds for this project are provided by the National Park Foundation's Active Trails program which engages national parks with communities and promotes healthy lifestyles through various forms of recreation and volunteer service on land and water trails. "With these grants, we're actively encouraging Americans to personally connect with their national parks through fun and engaging activities that not only promote a healthy lifestyle, but also help protect and preserve some of the most treasured places on earth for generations to come," said Neil Mulholland, President and CEO of the National Park Foundation.

The Harpers Ferry Job Corps will remove the existing asphalt, and resurface the trail with wood carpet. Demolition of the existing asphalt trail I is scheduled to begin on September 12. Portions of the Chestnut Picnic Area will be closed until the project, is completed by the end of October. Restrooms and limited picnic sites and parking will remain available. The Horse Trailer Parking Area, across from the Camp Greentop entrance, will be used as staging area for construction materials and will be closed from Sept. 12 until the project is completed. The Round Meadow Ballfield will be used as an alternative horse trailer parking area during this time. Please contact the Visitor Center at 301-663-9388 for details and directions to the alternate parking area.

The Harper's Ferry Job Corps Center, now administered by USDA - Forest Service, operated at Catoctin from 1965 until 1969. During that time enrollees resided at Camp Round Meadow. They constructed the current Park Headquarters on Route 77, Owens Creek Campground, and Owens Creek and Chestnut Picnic Areas.

Catoctin Mountain Park is one of 394 units administered by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. The park Visitor Center, located on State Route 77 three miles west of Thurmont, Maryland, is open daily from 10:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., and from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Correspondence should be addressed to: Superintendent, Catoctin Mountain Park, 6602 Foxville Road, Thurmont, MD 21788. Our website address is www.nps.gov/cato. General information can be obtained by calling the Visitor Center at [phone].