C&O Canal Volunteer Status for February 18th

Hello Level Walkers,

Please observe the following guidance from the C&O Canal NHP volunteer manager.

Dear Volunteers,
The forecast is for more snow! With the wintry weather starting overnight, the volunteer program is suspended on Thursday, February 18. The park will be open to the public, but volunteers are not authorized to work in the park. This is to ensure your safety during the inclement weather event. All staff in the division of Interpretation, Education, and Volunteers will be teleworking and only emergency staff will be onsite.
If you choose to visit the park on Thursday, February 18 you must do so as a private citizen. For updates on park closures please check the park website or the park Facebook page.

Thank you and stay safe!

Emily Durán Hewitt

C&O Canal Update – February 10, 2021

Hello Level Walkers,

Here is an update from the park.

Thanks, Steve

Dear Volunteers,

There is a winter storm warning in our area through tomorrow morning. All volunteers should exercise caution if visiting the park tomorrow. If you plan to volunteer in the Great Falls area of the park, please note that the entrance road will be closed in the morning until staff can clear it. We will notify Palisades volunteers tomorrow when the entrance road reopens. You can also check the park Facebook page for updates.

Please note that the Presidents Day holiday is this coming Monday, February 15. Our 2021 C&O calendar has the wrong date of 2/22 listed for the holiday. Sorry for the confusion. We still have 2021 calendars available, so please let staff know if you would like one.

As you know this year is the 50th anniversary of the C&O Canal National Historical Park. In case you missed it, we released a new video celebrating the park – Chesapeake & Ohio Canal NHP 50th Anniversary. Stay tuned for more information on how to celebrate our 50th Anniversary with a series of #50for50″ challenges in 2021!

Thank you and stay safe!

Emily Durán Hewitt

National Park Service Mask Guidance

Hello Level Walkers,

The following National Park Service.information is passed on from Emily Hewitt, the C&O Canal NHP Volunteer program manager.

Thanks for your support!

Steve

Dear Volunteers,

On January 20, 2021, President Biden signed Executive Order No. 13991. To protect the health of those who live, work, and visit our national parks and facilities, and in support of the President’s Executive Order on Protecting the Federal Workforce and Requiring Mask-Wearing, face masks are now required in all National Park Service (NPS) buildings and facilities. Masks are also required on NPS-managed lands when physical distancing cannot be maintained, including narrow or busy trails, overlooks, and historic homes. This mask requirement includes NPS volunteers, staff, contractors, and the general public. Masks are not a replacement for physical distancing. Please continue to maintain at least 6 feet of distance between you and those not in your household while volunteering.

When they are required (inside park facilities and outside when physical distancing is not possible) masks must cover the nose and mouth and meet CDC and OSHA guidance. For employees and volunteers, Department of Interior (DOI) will not allow novelty/non-protective masks, masks with ventilation valves, face shields as a substitute for masks, or masks with messages or graphics that DOI prohibits.

The NPS and the park will continue to provide information to the public and our volunteers as new guidance comes out. The park has already shared NPS messaging on our Facebook page and the NPS issued a news release. The park will also be posting signs in key locations. Please remember that a volunteer’s role is NOT to enforce regulations. It is acceptable to politely inform a visitor one time that masks are now required in national parks when physical distancing is not possible, but if a visitor does not comply, prioritize your own safety by maintaining physical distance and moving away from the individual. Again, volunteers are not authorized to enforce regulations.

Please let us know if you have any questions. Thank you for your service to the park, and please stay safe.