Carvins Cove Trail Plan - Roanoke

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Carvins Cove Natural Reserve 2010 Trail Management Plan 4. If construction of the new trail is approved, the sponsoring construction group/leader will be responsible for coordinating work days and equipment and for posting work hours on the database. 5. New trails will be built using the standards referenced in this plan. 6. New trails will only be constructed after review and approval of the Planning and Development application and authorization by Parks and Recreation. 4.6 Signage and Marking Trail identification signage has been greatly improved by the installation of new wayfinding signs at intersections. Roanoke’s Parks and Greenways Signage Workbook provides design guidelines for general informational kiosks, educational/interpretive kiosks, maps, and regulatory information. Existing, older signage should be removed when feasible. Recommended Practices: 1. Remove all obsolete signs. 2. Mark property lines at official and unofficial access points, listing uses allowed and not allowed. 3. Implement the Carvins Cove signage plan as resources allow. 4. For consistency on trails: Use kiosks and/or “you are here” maps at trailheads and entrance gates. Use trail names and mileage information on maps and signs. Utilize suitability symbols on all trail wayfinding. Use the international yield courtesy sign at trailheads and major access points. Use stenciled blazes on trees as reassurance markers for obscure trails. For trails that are not multi-use, clearly post use restrictions at all intersections – e.g. “Hikers Only”. Post boundaries and access points to restrict ATVs, other motorized vehicles, and prohibited activities. Mark affected trails during seasons when wet weather closures may be applicable. 4.7 Special Events and Group Use As the trail opportunities at the Cove become increasingly recognized, there is more demand for special events such as races and more organization of group rides by private and commercial interests. Because these uses are often organized well before the date of occurrence, the organizers want to hold the event rain or shine. The Cove’s single track trails were not built for group use, and trail widening, shortcuts, sloughed shoulders and damaged features are common with such usage. Also, most trails at the Cove cannot handle heavy, wet weather use, and some cannot handle heavy use at all. Group use poses a social impact in addition to physical impacts on the trail in that 42
Carvins Cove Natural Reserve 2010 Trail Management Plan groups reduce privacy and the feeling of remoteness, as well as arousing conflict because of prolonged or repeated stoppage for passing other users. When applications for special events or group use are reviewed by both the Department with the Pathfinders, a performance bond should be considered along with a special events permit. This documentation should address how the program and/or event promoter guarantees the trails will be in as good or better condition after the event than they were before; typical conditions should be mitigated and repaired after an event within 5 business days. Recommended Practices for Special Events Use: 1. Establish criteria for selecting the limited number of special events that can occur on Cove trails in a year. 2. Subscribe to and endorse a “Leave No Trace” policy. 3. Give priority to special events that help build the trail system, rather than just using and consuming trail resources. 4. Establish a series of policies and fees designed to ensure that special events and group use are “no net impact” to the trail network at the Cove. These policies may include: A fee schedule for special events that recoups costs for preparations for the event/group and management of trail repairs after the event. Posting of a bond that covers costs of assessment of trail damage after an event and contracted repair to the trails when the event causes trail degradation. Conditions for cancellation/postponement of events, including changing the event location shall be made in accordance with the lead management staff previously identified herein. Restrictions on which trails can be used. Restrictions on trail use in wet weather conditions. Only Happy Valley, Tunnel, and Brushy Mountain should be used for special events when there has been significant rain. No trail events should be scheduled during spring thaw season; generally from March – April. Conditions for notification prior to events to other users who may be impacted. Prohibition of marking paint and requirement that all flagging and signage be removed within 24 hours of the event. Recommended Practices for Group Events 1. All groups should educate their members on reducing trail impacts and leaving no trace. 2. Leaders of large groups shall be responsible for knowing trail conditions, dispersing use if necessary to reduce impacts, and selecting trails that can be used without damage under the current conditions. 3. Groups should make every effort to reduce inconvenience to other users who must stop for their passing. 43
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Carvins Cove Trail Plan - Roanoke

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