One possible approach for the John Smith trail would be to help preserve spots that still resemble the pristine vistas John Smith encountered in his travels. FILE/CLINT SCHEMMER/THE FREE LANCE-STAR Visit the Photo Place

On the trail of John Smith

Three focuses to creation of John Smith Trail: Highlight the explorer's trip, nature, recreation

Date published: 10/22/2009

By Rob Hedelt

DELTAVILLE

With spots like Ferry Farm, Leedstown, Hick's Landing and the riverfront in Fredericksburg shaded in different colors, they represented different approaches the Capt. John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail might take.

"It could end up being a mix of the different ap-proaches. It all depends on the feedback we get, what the public wants this trail to be," said John Maounis, National Park Service superintendent for the trail.

Congress established the trail in 2006. It retraces Smith's 1607-09 voyages in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

The trail winds through Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia. It has three main goals: to commemorate Smith's voyages; share knowledge about American Indian societies and cultures; and interpret the natural history of the bay.

For the past few years, the National Park Service, a new advisory council and many of its partners in the Bay Gateways Network have been brainstorming. They are working to develop a management plan to determine just what the trail will be.

At the public session last week in Deltaville, Maounis made it clear what it won't be--a park with boundaries, rangers and a visitor center.

Instead, it will be a 3,200-mile trail that works with existing museums, public lands, historic attractions, businesses and water-access points.

The meeting highlighted four different approaches:

The status quo: Simply continue having the Park Service work with partners that range from George Washington's Ferry Farm to the Reedville Fishermen's Museum.

Expand the work the Park Service and other partners do to highlight spots where Smith stopped, providing new opportunities for visitors.

Showcase and help preserve spots that still resemble the pristine vistas Smith encountered. This alternative would highlight the history of American Indian communities Smith encountered.

Focus more on recreation and the chance to get visitors to or on the water in important spots.

The Park Service staff picked four spots to show how the different approaches might affect what's done.

One was the stretch of the Rappahannock River between Tappahannock and Fredericksburg.

Maps highlighted spots that ranged from water-access points at Hopyard Farm and Carter's Wharf to the proposed riverfront park in Fredericksburg.

Maounis noted that this stretch is highly valued because much of the shoreline is undeveloped, still very much as it was during Smith's voyages.

The timetable calls for a draft plan to be adopted by the spring of 2010.

parkplanning.nps.gov/cajo

Rob Hedelt: 540/374-5415
Email: rhedelt@freelancestar.com

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Date published: 10/22/2009