It’s part of an efforts to develop a plan for the park.
Williamsport, Md (KM) Area residents are being asked to provide comments on the future of the Great Falls area of the C&O Canal National Historical Park. Park Ranger Christiana Hanson says the C&O Park is looking for opinions and suggestions. “How you would like to get safety information. Or even just to find out what kind of amenities are available to the public. We want to know anything that folks are thinking about. So it’s a very broad call for information for anybody who uses Great Falls. or might be hearing about it for the first time, but is interested in learning more and how you would like us to share that information with you,” says Park Ranger Christiana Hanson.
The C&O Canal National Historical Park is in the middle of developing a plan on how the park can continue providing recreational and educational opportunities, and continue to protect healthy ecosystems..
Hanson says the Great Falls area of the park receives a lot of visitors, and a lot of them like to hike the trails. But Hanson says some people have wandered off the trails, making their own trails by hiking in areas where there are rare plants which often get trampled, causing some environmental concerns. Hanson says the Great Falls area has a lot of rare plant species. “We’re looking at ways that we can protect those while also still providing public access to very popular hiking trails,” she says.
The C&O Canal National Historical Park runs from Great Falls through Montgomery, Frederick, Washington and Allegany Counties. Hanson was asked why the emphasis on Great Falls. “As we look at different parts of the park that need improvement, we’re always looking how to make the visitor experience excellent across the park. This just happens to be the focus right now,” she says.
The comment period runs from June 26th through July 28th. A virtual public meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 26th at 6:30 PM. until 8:00 PM. You can join the meeting through PC, Mac, iPAd and Android, at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84609210743.
You can join the meeting via audio at +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC); or +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
You can submit your comments on line at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/GreatFallsMarylandDevelopmentPlan.
Comments can also be sent by mail. The address is:
Superintendent,
Attn: Great Falls (MD) Development Concept Plan
National Park Service
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
142 West Potomac Street
Williamsport, Md. 21795
Those who send in their comments are asked to provide their address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information.
By Kevin McManus