Catoctin Mountain Park will officially reopen the newly resurfaced Spicebush Nature Trail at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 22. The .3 mile long trail, located in Chestnut Picnic Area was built in the 1970’s as an accessible nature trail. An Active Trails grant from the National Park Foundation allowed park staff to purchase wood carpet, a natural appearing alternative to asphalt. The asphalt was removed and the wood carpet installed by the Harpers Ferry Job Corps with assistance from Boy Scout Troop 270 and administrative support from the Catoctin Forest Alliance.

The Martinsburg VA Hospital Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Recreational Program, The League for People with Disabilities, the Harpers Ferry Job Corps, and Boy Scout Troop 270 are expected to attend.

The public is invited to the ribbon cutting recognizing the contributions of the individuals and organizations that made this project possible and the ceremonial first walk of a trail that is universally accessible to visitors of all abilities

Additional Earth Day Weekend Activities:

Park Steward Field Day – Camp Greentop, Friday, April 20

The weekend will start with a Park Stewards Field Day at Camp Greentop beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, April 20. The Park Stewards program, funded by a grant from the National Park Foundation, allowed 50 International Baccalaureate biology and physics students from North Hagerstown High School to learn about the consequences of alien invasive plants during an overnight encampment last October. The students developed activities based on concepts taught by Bridging the Watershed educators and by National Park Service Rangers. The North High students will use these modules to teach 100 North Hagerstown Middle School students about alien invasive plants.

Trail Maintenance – Saturday, April 21

Saturday’s activities will focus on trail maintenance. Local Boy Scouts will work with Park Rangers to clear debris from park trails and correct erosion problems. Catoctin is encouraging volunteer involvement in trail maintenance as a cost-effective way to keep trails safe for visitors, protect park resources and get the public moving outdoors.

Wildflower Walks – Owens Creek Picnic Area, Sundays April 22 and May 13

Join a ranger at the Brown’s Farm Trail in Owens Creek Picnic Area at 1:00 p.m. on Sundays, April 22 or May 13 for an interpretive wildflower walk. Together, you will explore an easy ½ mile trail that meanders through several types of habitat. The ranger will acquaint you with the flowers that are blooming, and will tell you why they are so particular about where they grow and when they flower.

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