Town of Abingdon, Virginia

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Town of Abingdon Facilities Closures and Services Update 5-26-2020

Town of Abingdon Facilities Closures and Services Update

The Town of Abingdon is taking several measures to support the goal of protecting the well-being of our community, and the capacity of our overall healthcare system. Effective May 26, 2020, many offices, including Town Hall and the Police Department, will be open to the public; however, some Town facilities will remain closed until further notice. Below is an update on Town facilities and services.

· Town Hall is open but customers may continue to use the following methods for transactions such as paying sewer bills or taxes:

o U.S. Mail

o Online – www.abingdon-va.gov/online-bill-pay

o Credit card via telephone: (276) 525-1464

o Dropbox located at the front of Town Hall

· There is a “dropbox” located outside the first floor of Town Hall for patrons to submit business licenses, building permits, and other items to the Planning and Public Works Departments. Other services (such as applications for permits, licenses, and applications for utility services) may be negotiated by use of telephone or e-mail communication. Many forms can be downloaded from our website www.abingdon-va.gov (and identified using the search tool).

· Tourism offices, at 335 Cummings Street, will continue to serve visitors by phone and e-mail only. The building is closed to the public. You may contact the office via phone at 276-676-2282 or e-mail at acvb@abingdon-va.gov.

· The Muster Grounds, at 1780 Muster Place, is closed to the public until further notice. You may contact the office via phone at 276-525-1050.

· Public parks and playground facilities are open under normal operating conditions as long as patrons remain compliant with appropriate social distancing guidelines. Pavilions with picnic tables will remain closed until further notice. For more information or questions about the parks, playgrounds, and pavilions, call 276-492-2144.

· The Coomes Recreation Center will remain closed until further notice. For further updates, follow their social media pages or visit their website at www.coomescenter.com.

Continue to follow the Town website and social media pages for further updates and schedule changes.

Friday, May 15, 2020

Virginia Creeper Trail Reopening- FAQs

Virginia Creeper Trail Reopening

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who made the decision to reopen the trail?

· The decision to reopen the trail was made jointly between the trail owners/managers – the US Forest Service and the towns of Abingdon and Damascus in consultation with the Mount Rogers Health District.

2. What facilities/services along the trail are closed at this time?

· For the protection of trail users and employees with limited personal protection equipment (PPE), all restroom facilities, visitor and welcome centers, and picnic shelters are closed.

3. As a trail user, what are my responsibilities to myself and others?

· If you have been exposed to COVID-19 in the past 14 days or if you have a fever or other coronavirus symptoms or an underlying health condition, you should NOT be on the trail

· Please follow the current Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines:

o Maintain at least six feet distance between yourself and others who are not in your same party.

o No groups of 10 or more should travel or congregate on the trail, at access points, or in the parking areas.

· Please consider other trail users -- especially those behind you -- and cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow.

4. While on the trail, what are some important points to remember?

· ALWAYS call out when passing on the left whether biking, running, or walking, and allow extra time to do so.

· Please allow others to pass through any narrow trail sections FIRST to provide for 6' distancing.

· Avoid touching smooth surfaces such as interpretive signs, kiosks, trashcan handles, and trestle & mile markers.

5. What about trail maintenance and bike patrols?

· Trail maintenance will be limited.

· Bike patrols will return to the trail when it is safe to do so.

6. Where should I park?

· Please park in designated areas only. If the trail head or other access points are busy, please consider returning at another time or finding another location to enter/exit the trail.

7. Can I bring my dog?

· Of course! But they must remain on a 6’ or shorter leash at all times. We require all owners to clean up after their dogs.

8. Is there cell service along the trail?

· Cell service is very limited and can be considered “spotty at best”. There is service in Damascus and Abingdon, however, there is no service from Whitetop to Damascus (nor will there be bike patrols. In the event of an emergency, you will have to rely on someone in your party or passers-by to summon help.)

7. What if I have additional questions?

· Visit https://vacreepertrail.org/ for more information about the trail and the Centers for Disease Control for additional details on the coronavirus at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html