FRIENDS of the
Blue Ridge Parkway, Inc.

P.O. Box 341
Arden, NC 28704

P.O. Box 20986
Roanoke, Va. 24018

800-228-7275 (toll-free)
540-772-2239 (fax)
staff@friendsbrp.org

FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway is a non-profit, volunteer organization that is dedicated to preserving, promoting and enhancing the Blue Ridge Parkway, a national treasure.

FRIENDS programs focus on preservation, protection and education.

FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, organized and existing under the laws of the State of North Carolina and the Commonwealth of Virginia, whose current principal business address for identification purposes is P.O. Box 20986, Roanoke, Virginia 24018.

FRIENDS of the
Blue Ridge Parkway, Inc.

A National Park Service Blue Ridge Parkway approved
partner organization dedicated to preserve, promote
and enhance the Blue Ridge Parkway, a national treasure,
for future generations.

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Volunteer Trail Work

The Blue Ridge Parkway suffers major damage from bad winter ice storms each year. Higher elevations, particularly in the Peaks of Otter area, have significant damage. Trails and roadways are badly affected. This damage couldn't have come at a worse time, as the Parkway staff (already devastated by federal budget cuts) is at low, off-season levels.

Volunteers Maintain Trails on the Parkway

Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club logs 350 volunteer hours repairing winter damage on the Parkway

However, our wonderful volunteer groups always respond rapidly when the National Park Service asks for help, achieving several trail maintenance activities. Some of the group efforts are listed below. If you do not see your activity, please contact us with your story.

The Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club in Lynchburg, VA was contacted by Sam Ripley, Supervisor of Trails, confirming sections of the Parkway that were closed and needed to be ready for the season opening in many areas. Eleven volunteers turned out to help with the maintenance south of the James River, and 17 volunteers showed up to help with maintenance north of the James River. A total of 350 volunteer hours on the Parkway!

FRIENDS Roanoke Chapter member, John Barrett coordinated a work party to assist NPS maintenance crews in the areas of greatest need in the Peaks of Otter area. The crew met NPS staff at the NPS maintenance building where tools were provided by NPS workers.

FRIENDS Roanoke Chapter Chair, Mark McClain, coordinated a work party to perform trail maintenance on the Falling Waters Cascade National Scenic Trail. The chapter met at the trailhead parking lot Milepost 83.1 on Blue Ridge Parkway (about 35 miles from Roanoke) .

FRIENDS Fishers Peak Chapter member, Dottie Bramley, led a group of Notre Dame students in trail maintenance in preparation of the opening season of the Blue Ridge Parkway. FRIENDS is particularly proud of these and other college students who gave their spring breaks to help out on the Parkway. And they worked very hard!

Water bars were moved from unused portions of the High Meadow Trail (HMT) and reinstalled at
locations where there were erosion problems.
Wash outs were refilled with gravel. The NPS delivered

Notre Dame Students at Fishers Peak

a truck load of dirt and it was spread out over a low spot near the main entrance.
The last two posts were installed at the main entrance. When the NPS installs the cable, the entrance will allow only foot traffic.
Fabric and gravel ballast was installed under the elevated walkways that cross the wetlands to
control the growth of weeds.
Gravel ramps were installed at the egress and exit of both walkways to eliminate the need to step up and down.
The HMT was blazed in RED in both directions.
The Fishers Peak Trail (FPT) was blazed in BLUE in both directions. Additional trimming was done where it blocked the view of the blazes.
All logs which fell across the trail were cut and moved.
All root stumps were removed from the trail pathways.
Brush cuttings which lay beside the trails were moved out of sight.
Two posts with blazes were installed in the field behind the Music Center.

FRIENDS Roanoke Valley Chapter member, Linda Gardner, led a group of Roanoke College students (InterVarsity Christian Fellowship) at mile marker 115 as they converged at Roanoke River Parking. These students donned protective clothing to tackle the trash-contaminated Fisherman’s Trail. After a brief orientation about possible hazards and the famous last words of “It’s unlikely we’ll meet up with any snakes this morning.” guess what the group’s first hazardous sighting was? Of course, a snake was lying in the brush and was left in peace. The group discovered the usual trash with a few unexpected items—a lawn chair hanging in a tree, a heavy winter jacket and a vinyl mattress. All were removed, a feat in itself, since the trail is steep and rocky. Fisherman’s Trail is one that was made over time by folks wanting access to Roanoke River for fishing and other “sports.” The morning ended with the group admiring the scene from the Roanoke River overlook, a good place to take a break.

American Hiking Society is a partner with FRIENDS in the Trails Forever Program and the development of FRIENDS' trail manual.