Why have the access points to the Virginia Creeper Trail been closed?

Why have the access points to the Virginia Creeper Trail been closed?

·       The Creeper Trail is an outdoor recreation destination for many people from outside our communities. Current COVID-19 case tracking shows that asymptomatic COVID positive visitors are a leading source of new infections in communities and though most nearby states are under stay-at-home orders, many were still visiting the trail.  (For more information, see Governor Northam’s state-at-home order of March 30th and similar orders from your home state)

·       User density increases:

o   Weekly increases of trail users since social distancing recommendations were made, which has resulted in decreasing social distancing practices

o   As the Easter holidays approached, there was a significant uptick in inquiries about the VCT from out-of-area visitors. See above.

o   As a result of closures of many other outdoor recreation venues, visitors were being funneled onto the Creeper Trail further increasing current and projected use

o   Based on long-term trends and historical data, trail usage greatly increases as warm weather approaches

·       Modeling shows COVID-19 cases increasing in SWVA between now and mid-May when the projected peak will be reached. Town and EMS officials are concerned that even the normal rate of accidents on the trail requiring EMS’s limited staff and equipment could over-burden the system, diverting needed resources away from responding to urgent health needs in our communities

·       Within the Creeper Trail footprint, we have large elderly populations who are most at-risk for developing complications and dying from the coronavirus and we have to protect them

*Please direct further questions to the Virginia Creeper Trail Conservancy at 804-334-5853.