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May 10, 2021 Record of Determination for a Temporary Closure of Greenbelt Park Campground and Laurel Picnic Area for Roadway Reconstruction in Greenbelt Park Pursuant to 36 CFR § 1.5, the National Park Service is extending the temporary closure of Greenbelt Park facilities except hiking trails from Monday, March 15, 2021, through Friday, May 28, 2021. Visitor use areas along the Park Central roadway between the park entrance and the Goodluck Road Parking Area will all be closed during this time period. On Friday, May 28, 2021, the Sweetgum Picnic area, Dogwood recreation area and the parking lot next to the visitor center will reopen for visit use. This summer the park campgrounds will reopen for public use as part of a phased reopening plan. All other facilities in the park will remain closed until Tuesday, August 30, 2021. This extended closure includes the Park Central Loop, Holly Picnic Area, Laurel Picnic Area and the Goodluck Road Parking Area, among others. The temporary closures are required in order to allow work under a contract issued by the NPS for the replacement of Still Creek Bridge, the placement of two box culverts, and the resurfacing of all paved areas from the park entrance to the Ranger Station. These areas include U.S. Park Police Parking, Greenbelt Headquarters Parking, Holly Parking Area, Laurel Parking Area, Goodluck Road Parking Area and all road surfaces from the park entrance to the intersection of Park Central Road and the road to the Ranger Station. Roadway reconstruction will largely include the removal and replacement of existing asphalt pavement. The closures prohibit all vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic in the construction work zone. The temporary closures are necessary for the safety of park visitors, National Park Service (NPS) employees, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) employees, and construction crews while this work is performed. Less restrictive measures will not suffice in ensuring protection of the public, workers, and the resource. A variety of best management practices for the mitigation of storm water impacts will be installed throughout the construction area, as required by the Maryland Department of Environment. These include the replacement of the Still Creek Bridge, installation of the box culverts and removal of some pavement along the walking trail to Goodluck Road. In consultation with the Maryland State Historic Preservation Office this project has been determined not to adversely affect any historic properties. This project has been determined to be within a National Environmental Policy Act Categorical Exclusion for maintenance activities on existing infrastructure. All work will be performed consistent with these determinations. This extension adds two months to the temporary closures of the Greenbelt Park campground and picnic areas. Due to park planning efforts, no reservations for either area have been impacted. Because of this and the limited time period, the closures are not of a nature, magnitude, or duration that will result in significant alteration in the public use pattern of these park areas. Use of the hiking trail system in Greenbelt Park will remain uninterrupted during this time period. The temporary closure will not require a long-term or significant modification in the resource management objectives of National Capital Parks-East or Greenbelt Park. Accordingly, pursuant to 36 CFR § 1.5(b), publication as rulemaking in the Federal Register is unnecessary and unwarranted. This determination is consistent with past partial and temporary park closures or public use limitations in the National Capital Region. Pursuant to 36 CFR § 1.7, notice of the closure will be made via posting, electronic communication, and by park staff direction. This Record of Determination is available upon request. Violation is prohibited. Tara Morrison 5/10/21 Superintendent Date |
Last updated: May 13, 2021