Peaks of Otter: Cultural Landscape Report, Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia), National Park Service
Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. and John Milner Associates, Inc.. 2013. Peaks of Otter: Cultural Landscape Report, Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia), National Park Service. Cultural Landscape Report. Southeast Regional Office, National Park Service
Peaks of Otter is a cultural landscape found along the Blue Ridge Parkway, which runs 469 miles from Shenandoah National Park in Central Virginia to Great Smokey Mountains National Park near Cherokee, North Carolina. Peaks of Otter is located in Bedford, Virginia, approximately 22 miles northeast of Roanoke and is comprised of three mountain summits: Sharp Top, Flat Top, and Harkening Hill. Peaks of Otter, which is approximately 4,500 acres, is one of several recreation and service areas that support visitor enjoyment along the Parkway. The Peaks of Otter recreational landscape includes a new visitor center, a lodge, a restaurant, campgrounds, a picnic area, a lake, and a network of hiking trails, as well as an interpretation of the historic Johnson Farm, which served three generations of a local farming family. Heavy visitor use is one of the primary concerns for park management at Peaks of Otter; thus, an update to park facilities has been suggested. The park is evaluating the need for expanded parking facilities; rehabilitation of asphalt-paved roads, parking areas, walks, and storm water ditches; and enhanced picnic and campground facilities. These actions have the potential to affect the integrity of the nationally-significant designed historic landscape unless considered carefully within the parameters of the original design intent. This cultural landscape report (CLR) is intended to inform the design and implementation of changes, repairs, and rehabilitation projects proposed by the National Park Service. This CLR documents historic and existing conditions, identifies the character-defining features of the park, evaluates the historic significance and integrity of the site, and provides treatment recommendations for historic, natural, and cultural resources to assist park staff in improving the condition of park resources while furthering planned improvements.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.; John Milner Associates, Inc.
- Date of Issue
- 2013
- Units
- BLRI
- Keywords
- Appalachian Mountains, Bedford, Blue Ridge Parkway, Cultural Landscape, developed area, Engineering, Flat Top Mountain, Harkening Hill, Johnson Farm, Landscape architecture, Mission 66, Peaks of Otter, Recreational Landscape, Report, Sharp Top Mountain, Stanley Abbott, Virginia
- Subjects
- CRIS-CL: 975886: Flat Top and Fallingwater Cascades Trailheads (975886) , CRIS-CL: 550208: Peaks of Otter , CRIS-CL: 550213: Peaks of Otter Campground , CRIS-CL: 550209: Peaks of Otter Lodge , CRIS-CL: 550212: Peaks of Otter Picnic Area , CRIS-CL: 550211: Peaks of Otter Visitor Center