Natural Bridge State Park releases plan, seeks input

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) recently released its master plan for the Natural Bridge State Park located near Lynchburg and is seeking public input on the plan until Nov. 21.

The master plan includes rerouting Route 11 that travels over the Natural Bridge so only pedestrians can traverse it, demolishing the Wax Museum, adding a chairlift and expanding hiking trails.

“We have 1,200 acres there,” said Lynn Crump, environmental programs planner at DCR. “So our part of the plan is to disperse activities throughout that 1,200 acres. So we have camping proposed, we have a mountain bike track proposed, we have additional hiking trails right now. I think there are four or five miles of hiking trail already. So we’re expanding trails, we’re going to have a discovery area for people, will have picnic areas and some shelters scattered throughout the park.”

One of the most interesting additions would be a chairlift. Crump said that there are challenges involved due to Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards but noted that it is not planned until the third phase. Its purpose is to provide easier accessibility to the bridge.

A recording of the meeting, and details and map of the master plan may be found at www.dcr.virginia.gov/recreational-planning/nb-masterplan-public-input-meeting.

The cost of the plan is undetermined at this moment.

Written comments about the master plan will be accepted until 7 p.m. Nov. 21. Send comments by mail to Lynn Crump, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, at 600 East Main Street, 24th Floor, Richmond, Virginia 23219; by email to Lynn.Crump@dcr.virginia.gov; or by fax to 804-371-7899.

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