Tag: New River Gorge National River

Southern West Virginia National Parks Help Local Economy

The National Park Service says southern West Virginia’s three national parks contributed more than $64 million in benefits to the local economy in 2015.

Economists with the National Park Service and the U.S. Geological Survey analyzed visitor spending at parks across the nation, including the New River Gorge National River, Bluestone National Scenic River and Gauley River National Recreation Area.

The report says people visiting the three West Virginia parks spent more than $56 million in nearby communities in 2015. That spending supported 846 jobs.

Together, the parks drew more than 1.3 million visitors in 2015.

Nationwide, the report says 31 percent of visitor spending was for lodging, followed by food and beverages at about 20 percent.

Restoration Set for Damaged Park Land in New River Gorge

The New River Gorge National River is restoring 28 miles of land in Fayette County that was used for illegal off-road vehicle trails.Park spokeswoman…

The New River Gorge National River is restoring 28 miles of land in Fayette County that was used for illegal off-road vehicle trails.

Park spokeswoman Julena Campbell says in a news release that the work includes planting trees and using native seed mixes to restore vegetation.

Campbell says hunting, hiking, wildlife watching and other legal activities are unaffected by the restoration efforts. Pedestrian access and an improved parking area near Layland will be installed to allow legal access into the park by hunters and others.

Wetland areas also will be restored and natural drainages that were damaged by illegal off-road vehicle use will be re-established during the project.

City of Oak Hill Develops Trail Concept

The City of Oak Hill has developed a trail concept which will connect its Main Street with more than 100 miles of trails within the New River Gorge National River.

The Register-Herald reports the proposed trail would pick up the White Oak Rail Trail, go up Central Avenue to Main Street, cross the U.S. 19 bridge and cut through a field along the downtown exit.

The Hamiltons, a local family, have expressed willingness to donate property for an overlook beyond the field.

Oak Hill City Manager Bill Hannabass says the trail could help the city to attract outdoor-related industries to the area.

He says the city will apply for Division of Highways grants to design the trail.

An engineer will provide an estimate for the project next week.

New River Gorge Hiking Challenge Celebrates NPS Centennial

New River Gorge National River is offering a 100-mile hiking challenge to celebrate the National Park Service’s centennial.

To complete the challenge, visitors must hike at least 100 miles on trails in New River Gorge National River and Bluestone National Scenic River in 2016.

Park visitors can register for the challenge online by sending their name and email address to NewRiverGorge100MileChallenge@nps.gov.

Prizes will be awarded to participants who hike at least 100 miles between Jan. and Dec. 1. An additional prize will be given to the first 100 participants who complete the challenge.

The park will officially kick off the challenge on Jan. 2 with a hike of about 3 miles on the Grandview Rim Trail.

Walkway to Grandview's Main Overlook Closed for Repairs

A repair project has temporarily shut off access to the main overlook at Grandview.

The National Park Service says in a news release that the overlook’s main walkway is being closed for repairs, effective immediately. The closure is expected to last for approximately the next three weeks.

Grandview’s other overlooks and all trails will remain open.

The main overlook is 1,400 feet above the New River and provides views of river’s Horseshoe Bend and the town of Quinnimont.

Grandview is part of the New River Gorge National River.

New River Gorge Seeking Summer Volunteers

The New River Gorge National River is looking for volunteers to assess the health of the New River's fish and aquatic invertebrates.The resource…

The New River Gorge National River is looking for volunteers to assess the health of the New River’s fish and aquatic invertebrates.

The resource management division of the park is seeking the volunteers for its long-term ecological monitoring system. Park officials say the sampling efforts by volunteers could entail long work days wading in the New River.

The fish assessments involve the use of electric shocks, which stun fish and bring them to the surface. Biologists say the fish are identified, measured then released back into the river after electrofishing.

The aquatic invertebrate assessment entails the collecting of bugs, algae and plant samples.

The park service says the volunteers not only help the New River Gorge, but also gain job skills and a better understanding of nature.

 

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