Breaking News
FRIENDS Sponsors Weed Identification Workshop September 27 at Folk Art Center
NPCA partners with Warren Wilson College
As the Blue Ridge Parkway approaches its 75th anniversary, the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) is drawing on the GIS (geographic information systems) expertise of students at Warren Wilson College to help it propose a plan to manage secondary road access to the Blue Ridge Parkway over the next 20 years. The proposal is aimed at keeping the Blue Ridge Parkway a rural, scenic byway and ensuring that it does not become a commuter road that diminishes the visitor experience.
Summertime vacation travel is on the rise on the Blue Ridge Parkway along with motor vehicle accidents. For the summer traveler the Blue Ridge Parkway offers many opportunities. Click here for more details.
(Roanoke, VA)—The 15-mile section of the Blue Ridge Parkway between US Route 220, milepost (MP) 121 and MP 136 is scheduled for asphalt resurfacing and reconstruction...Click here for more details.
The Blue Ridge Parkway announces the availability for lease two agricultural parcels for pasturing livestock and for hay production located near Parkway milepost 229.3...Click here for more details.
(Asheville)—The Blue Ridge Parkway (Parkway) is seeking public input, through May 20, on an Environmental Assessment (EA) for managing vistas within Carolina Northern Flying Squirrel (CNFS) habitat along the Parkway. Listed as an endangered species in 1985, some 25-30 years after the construction of the Parkway through its habitat, the CNFS now receive additional protection through the Endangered Species Act and through NPS Management Policies.
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2.2 Mile Section of Parkway Closed
(Sparta, NC)—A 2.2 mile section of the Blue Ridge Parkway will be closed between Milepost 223.1 on the north end and Milepost 225.3 on the south end. The detour will begin for visitors traveling south at Saddle Mountain Church Road to Glade Valley Road to Shaw Town Road then to Mountain View Road which connects back to the Parkway at Milepost 225.3. Reverse this order for northbound Parkway traffic.
Parkway officials said this closure is necessary to facilitate painting the bridge superstructure, replace bridge expansion joints and perform related miscellaneous work. These repairs are estimated to take approximately 2 months to complete.
(Bedford, VA) - The Blue Ridge Parkway’s Abbott Lake Dam will be closed from December 2007 through October 2008. Visitors will be prohibited from the general area surrounding the dam, including the picnic area, Pollywood’s Ordinary cabin and the Abbott Lake trail. Visitors will still be able to access the trails from the Peaks of Otter visitor’s center...
(Roanoke, VA) - Explore Park's Historic Areas will close to the public at 5 p.m. on Sunday, November 18. The Historic Areas and the Brugh Tavern, which closed at the end of October, will not re-open next season. The Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center, which also includes a permanent exhibit chronicling the early histories of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Roanoke region, will close for the season on November 18, but will re-open next spring...
(Asheville, NC)...Parkway officials said the closure is to allow repairs to be made to the retaining wall at MP 364.6, which has failed. Officials emphasized that the scenic motor road will be open to Mount Mitchell State Park from the north only at MP 330.9, as weather permits. No public access to the Parkway will be allowed south of the entrance to Mt. Mitchell State Park (MP 355.3) and north of the Ox Creek Road intersection (MP 375.6).
(Roanoke) - At its October 16, 2007 meeting, the Virginia Recreational Facilities Authority or "VRFA" - Virginia's Explore Park's governing board of directors - voted to cease regular operations of Explore Park on November 30, 2007. The Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center, including its gift shop and exhibits, will remain open on a seasonal basis.
(Asheville)—The Blue Ridge Parkway (Parkway) is seeking public input, through November 19, to identify issues and additional study that will be needed to develop an Environmental Assessment (EA) for managing vistas within Carolina Northern Flying Squirrel (CNFS) habitat along the Parkway.
(Asheville) The Blue Ridge Parkway is seeking public input, through July 2, to identify issues and additional study that will be needed to develop an Environmental Assessment for control strategies of Hemlock Wooly Adelgid (HWA) along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia and North Carolina.
President Bush has recently released his proposed budget for fiscal year 2008, and the news for the National Park Service has generated much discussion. Read more about the Centennial Initiative
Capitol Hill is talking. Why? Because you've caught their attention. Read more about the hundreds of petitions you sent in support of increased funding to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Read on Petitions.
President Bush has asked Congress to provide more money to the National Park Service for visitor services, upkeep, and law enforcement. How will this impact our area? Read more Breaking News.
