The view from Maryland Heights/NPS file
Too many cars and not enough parking have the National Park Service proposing to permanently close the Maryland Heights parking areas at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.
The parking areas can hold a maximum of 16 vehicles and are not large enough to handle the amount of visitation the Maryland Heights trail now receives. The lack of parking space has in the past led to a safety hazard with illegally parked vehicles often sticking out into the roadway and blocking one lane of travel on a narrow, busy road, the agency said in a release.
The public is invited to attend a virtual meeting on February 10 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. where park staff will explain the proposal and invite attendees to share their questions, comments and alternative ideas. Comments on the proposed closure can also be submitted electronically or by mail through Feb. 27.
The parking areas have been closed since March 2020, originally as a COVID-19 safety protocol, but the NPS has maintained the closures because parking safety-related incidents in the area have been virtually eliminated.
Visitors can access the Maryland Heights trail and climbing areas by parking in the main visitor center lot and riding the park shuttle to the historic Lower Town. There is limited parking available in the Lower Town Train Station and River Access Lots. It is a short walk from Lower Town across the pedestrian footbridge to the trailhead and main climbing routes. This method of travel offers the chance to explore three national parks in one visit: Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
There are several ways to get involved:
Attend the public meeting: A virtual public meeting explaining the proposal and providing time for questions, comments and alternative ideas will be held on February 10 from 6 p.m. to 8 pm. Follow the link to join the Microsoft Teams meeting and view the meeting presentation live. A recording of the meeting and meeting presentation materials will also be available after Feb. 10 on the park website.
Electronic comment: You are invited to submit written comments and identify any issues or concerns about the proposed closure until February 27 to [email protected].
Comment by mail: Written comments may also be mailed to the address below. Mailed comments must be postmarked by Feb. 27 to receive consideration.
Superintendent
Attn: Proposal to close Maryland Heights parking areas
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
P.O. Box 65
Harpers Ferry, WV 25425
Comments
Government logic as elucidated here:
1. Not enough parking spaces so close off the spots we do have
2. Closing 16 outdoor parking spaces (but not closing the park) will slow the spread of COVID
3. Because some people park illegally and/or unsafely, let's close off the legal, safe parking spots
4. We endorse "safetyism" which postulates that if something is not 100% safe, it is unacceptably unsafe (see "Coddling of the American Mind")
Since I live near this park and use those spaces, I'll be attending. Thank you.
Absolutely not. I also live in the area and often hike Maryland and Loudon Heights. Now I and the rest of us will have to park and ride a bus to get to our favorite local trails. People will continue parking illegally, this just makes it more inconvenient for the rest of us. I will be attending as well.
Sounds like an backassward attempted 'solution'.
"This location closed to serve you better." (I actually saw that posted on a McDonald's!)
The trails are more than just fun recreational hikes. The Maryland Heights area was a key factor in the battle of Harpers Ferry and eventual surrender by Dixon Miles prior to the larger, more famous battle at Sharpsburg. I go there to study the history and get a sense of the terrain and how it shaped the decisions of the soldiers and commanders in their actions. It's great that more people are using the trails and I support the park service to close off those parking areas, encouraging visitors to use the shuttle and short walk across the bridge and along the canal. I don't disparage local residents who use the trails as a recreational outlet (did you pay your park entry fee?) but find quite annoying the "I'll park where ever the hell I please" attitude.
As a Jefferson county resident I certainly hope they don't close this. I have been there on weekends and had no issue. I'm not going to take a bus, especially not with baby at risk if exposed to germs. I use this lot to park and go for walk. Maybe enforce laws and if people park off street ticket then. Maybe it has gotten that busy before but I haven't seen it. In general there is not enough access to parks and trails in area. Maybe increase smaller parking lot locations.
The fact they blame this on Covid when all of this was planned long before "covid" became a thing tells anyone all they need to know about the NPS and what they have planned for the future. Just follow the money
Yes indeed. Covid has been a boon to the NPS. We have been able to use it as an excuse for doing or not doing scores of things.