National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park 1850 Dual Highway, Suite 100 Hagerstown, MD 21740 301-745-5810 phone 301-739-6179 fax Canal Steward Program Adoption Package Norton Street NW and Manning Street NW Capital Crescent Trail Access Adopting Group: Palisades Citizens Association
Canal Steward Program Site Adoption Form 2 Site Adopted Adopting Group Site Leader Contact Information Norton Street NW and Manning Street NW Capital Crescent Trail Access Palisades Citizen Association Jack Koczela jack@koczela.net 202.244.1062 Secondary Contact Maintenance District Adoption Term Palisades 1. The Adopting Group agrees to: a. Provide basic labor as a volunteer service to maintain the access points to the Capital Crescent Trail at Norton and Manning Streets and perform the work as outlined in the Site Assessment Form. b. Communicate with the National Park Service through a single point of contact, who is identified as the Site Leader for the Adopting Group. c. Provide necessary tools and equipment whenever possible. If the adopting group cannot provide needed tools, tools may be requested from the Field Volunteer Coordinator. d. Attend an orientation and training session with Park staff before starting work at the adopted site. e. Schedule and complete work trips at the frequency outlined in the Site Assessment Form. f. Ensure that all volunteer participants are covered under a current Volunteer Services Agreement prior to starting any work at the site. These agreements are to be returned to the Field Volunteer Coordinator before the individual can begin work at the site. All participants under 18 years old must also submit an agreement signed by parent or guardian. g. Provide appropriate adult supervision and leadership for the group when work is being done. If the site leader cannot be present during a work trip a replacement leader should be identified.
h. Provide the Field Volunteer Coordinator with a Site Visit Report for the work accomplished by the group after each work trip. i. Have their work periodically evaluated by Park staff to confirm it meets the standards outlined in the Site Assessment Form. Park staff will work with adopting group to resolve issues at the site. The Park reserves the right to terminate the Site Adoption if subsequent evaluations do not conform to Park standards or NPS policy. j. Provide the Park with photographs of the work accomplished at the site. This documentation will help keep track of accomplishments and further the development of the Canal Steward Program. k. Wear uniform vest provided while working in the field for personal safety and identification. l. Consent to the release of their contact information to the C&O Canal Trust, the official non-profit partner of the C&O Canal National Historical Park. Through the C&O Canal Trust website and mailings, you will be updated on Park issues and activities. Our goal is to have Stewards become advocates for the entire Park. 3 2. The National Park Service agrees to: a. Provide maintenance standards, technical advice, guidance and inspection as may be necessary to properly complete site work. b. Provide necessary tools and equipment when the group is unable to provide them or furnish special project equipment or special work tools when necessary. c. d. Provide annual training for the Canal Steward site leaders. Adopting Group Site Leader Date National Park Service Field Volunteer Coordinator Date National Park Service Canal Steward Program Coordinator Date National Park Service Facility Management, District Supervisor Date
4 Canal Steward Program Site Assessment Form Site Adopted: Norton Street NW and Manning Street NW Capital Crescent Trail Access Adopting Group: Palisades Citizens Association Site Leader: Jack Koczela Thank you for joining the Canal Steward Program. The commitment you have shown to promote stewardship efforts at Norton Street NW and Manning Street NW Capital Crescent Trail access points is essential to the long-term viability of the C&O Canal National Historical Park. The partnerships created with visitors, local communities, and service organizations through the Canal Steward Program are key to preserving and protecting the valuable SITE DESCRIPTION The Norton Street NW access is defined as the trail leading from the intersection of Norton Street NW and Potomac Street NW to the Capital Crescent Trail. This trail borders the Dalecarlia Reservoir to the east. The Manning Street NW access is located a few hundred yards north of Manning Street NW on Potomac Street NW. This access point has a set of stairs leading from Potomac Street NW to the Capital Crescent Trail. Map on page 10
SITE PHOTOGRAPHS 5 Norton Street NW access point Norton Street NW at Dalcarlia Reservoir Norton Street NW trail Norton Street NW trail Manning Street NW access at Potomac St. Manning NW Street stairs
6 SITE PHOTOGRAPHS Trail to Capital Crescent Trail Manning Street NW Stairs Manning Street NW pickets and bike ramp Trail to CCT from Manning St. NW access
7 MAINTENANCE TASKS These tasks are to be completed at your adopted site as part of the Canal Steward Program. 1. Remove trash, materials to be recycled, and debris from the site. Trash should be bagged and removed. Woody debris or other natural materials that are obstructing the trail can be moved and placed beyond the tree line. Frequency: Once per month 2. Prune vegetation back 2 feet off center and 8 feet high of trail to maintain clear corridor. Frequency: Once per season 3. Report blowdowns to the Field Volunteer Coordinator. Frequency: Every time you hike the trail 4. Report sections of the trails that are washed out or eroding to the Field Volunteer Coordinator. Frequency: Every time you hike the trail 5. Replace broken pickets on the Manning Street stairs. Contact the Field Volunteer Coordinator for supplies. Frequency: As needed 6. Check the stairs for lumber that should be replaced. Contact the Field Volunteer Coordinator for supplies. Frequency: Once per month 7. Check the trails and steps for erosion issues. Fill in holes with towpath material. Contact the Field Volunteer Coordinator for towpath material. Frequency: As needed 8. Scan the entire site for hazards to visitors. Broken structures that need immediate repair? Report all problems on the Site Visit Report and return immediately. Frequency: Every time you are in the park 9. Visually inspect the area for any tree hazards such as hanging tree limbs or leaning trees. Report to Field Volunteer Coordinator. Frequency: Every time you are in the park
EQUIPMENT, TOOLS AND MATERIALS 8 The adopting group agrees to supply the tools that would be needed for the majority of projects to be undertaken at the site. If special equipment is required, please make arrangements with the Field Volunteer Coordinator to ensure it is available on the day of the scheduled project. The Site Leader will be responsible for coordinating pick up or delivery of supplies from the Field Volunteer Coordinator in advance of the scheduled date of the project. SAFETY Always wear Canal Steward vest when working at adopted site for personal safety and identification. It is required to have a first aid kit easily accessible at the work site. In case of a life threatening emergency, call 911 first. In case of an injury that is not life threatening call Park Dispatch at 301.714.2235 for assistance. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required when working at adopted site. This includes: Boots, Gloves, Eye protection, Hard hat (when pruning overhead) Be aware of your surroundings while working. If visitors are within 10 feet of your work area, stop work and wait for them to pass before continuing. At no time should you put yourself in a dangerous situation. When working close to the Capital Crescent Trail, be certain to place your reflective All volunteers should be familiar with the safety guidelines in our C&O Canal http://www.chohvip.org/
9 REPORTING A site visit report is to be e-mailed to the Field Volunteer Coordinator after each site visit and/or work project. Site visit reports should include: Volunteer names Date of site visit Hours worked Tasks completed Photos CONTACT INFORMATION PARK PERSONNEL National Park Service Staff will be available to assist Stewards in completing their job duties. The primary NPS point of contact is the Field Volunteer Coordinator. Other Park staff are available to assist if you are unable to reach the Field Volunteer Coordinator. NAME POSITION PHONE EMAIL George Newman Field Volunteer Coordinator 301.491.1165 george_newman@nps.gov Amanda Potter Canal Steward Program Office 301.491.1457 amanda_potter@partner.nps.gov Danny Filer Volunteer Coordinator 301.491.2465 danny_filer@nps.gov General Park Info Park Headquarters, M-F 301.739.4200 choh_information@nps.gov IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, ALWAYS CALL 911 FIRST. Park Dispatch may also be reached at: 24 HOUR EMERGENCY 866-677-6677
10 SITE MAP