Comments on: Another Blue Ridge Parkway Vista Clearing

By: Jeff Clark, Meanderthals

Jeff Clark, Meanderthals — Tue, 19 May 2015 20:46:00 +0000

In reply to Michele Crim. Thank you for the great info Michele, and for all the wonderful work that Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway does.

By: Michele Crim

Michele Crim — Tue, 19 May 2015 19:46:00 +0000

Jeff, thank you for posting this information to your blog! You are correct that a great deal of work and planning goes into these clearings. Only highly skilled specialized work crews are authorized to do the work. Among other precautions, the protection of native animal habitats are taken into account, so the clearings have to be planned and coordinated by qualified Park Service personnel. FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway hopes to be able to fund clearings throughout all 469 miles. Meanwhile, one vista at a time is being opened back up to those spectacular views we all know and love!

Michele Crim, Director of Marketing, FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway

By: Jeff Clark, Meanderthals

Jeff Clark, Meanderthals — Sun, 17 May 2015 00:12:00 +0000

In reply to [email protected].

I know it seems like they would do this more often, but there really is a lot that has to go into making it happen. If the trees that are in the way are outside the Parkway boundary buffer, then private landholders have to be contacted and asked for permission. The work crews have to undergo safety training and the terrain has to be surveyed for potential hazards. It doesn’t happen as quickly as we would like, but this is a shining example that it does happen.

By: mountainvann@gmail.com

mountainvann@gmail.com — Sat, 16 May 2015 13:47:00 +0000

I was beginning to think that the overlooks had been allowed to over grow on purpose. I even had thought about taking my saw to these places to open them up, but I assumed I would be breaking the law. So good to see that this is finally being done.