Trail Restoration

Initially established in 1994 after many years of advocacy, The Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) located near Davis, West Virginia was the 500th National Wildlife Refuge to be established in the United States. The unique landscape includes a combination of wetlands, grasslands, and upland areas at a relatively high elevation in the mountains of northeastern West Virginia. The refuge preserves a moist valley with unique wetlands and uplands at a relatively high elevation in the Allegheny Mountains. It is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).

Under a continuing service contract with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Beardsley provided Engineering/Landscape Architectural design services for the replacement of an existing boardwalk trail system. The project includes the demolition of the existing on-grade boardwalk trail and replacement with approximately 2,380 linear-feet of new elevated boardwalk with several strategically located viewing platforms and trail pull-offs to maximize the visitor experience and visibility of key habitat and natural features including an evergreen grove, sensitive pink lady slipper vegetation, and a “bubbling spring”.

The ADA accessible trail system was designed as modular segments which can be prefabricated off-site for construction cost efficiency and to minimize potential environmental impacts due to construction access. The trail section materials include precast concrete foundation piers, wood structural framing, low maintenance composite decking, and powder coated metal handrail systems where required. Additional improvements include a paved accessible parking area and information kiosk at the trailhead.

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