There was a festive air in when about 40 people gathered round for the ribbon–cutting ceremony of the Francis Bay Accessible Trail, the Virgin Islands National Park’s first handicap-accessible trail.
Janet George-Carty cut the ribbon to open the trail, which is about 650-feet long, beginning at a parking area and then goes to a pier and then into a salt pond to allow for bird watching. Photo credit to Cristina Kessler.
Joe Kessler, president of the Friends of VI National Park, expressed appreciation to volunteers who donated more than 500 hours of labor to finish the week-long project. Thanks were also offered to MSI Building Supplies, which donated almost $20,000 worth of lumber.
This is the first trail to be built as part of the Accessible Trail Project. A second trail is planned for Cinnamon Bay, through the ruins and along the Loop Trail, according to Noreen Cavanaugh, director of development for the Friends.
My favorite place on St. John! Yeah!