Mowing the Parkway

Park service employee using brush cutter at Craggy Gardens.

NPS photo

The Blue Ridge Parkway was designed as a landscaped park. Grasses are mowed back and trees are removed to allow for spectacular views. Guardrails, which were built when the parkway was first constructed to keep motorists from going off the roads, are trimmed.

Mowing Road Edges

Tractor mowers are used to cut grass and small shrubs around the road to save on man power and time. These machines, while very useful, are also rather fragile and the operator needs to pay constant attention to the road, tree branches, and rocks on the ground for the operator's safety as well as that of the equipment. Signs to warn motorists of mowing operations are always placed in work areas.

How are the Guardrails Maintained?

Maintenance employees use string trimmers to trim vegetative growth around guard rails to provide the highest amount of visibility of scenic views. After the vegetation under and around the guard rails has been trimmed, tractor mower operators cut the rest of the vegetation.

Guardrails are trimmed two to three times during the growing season. It usually requires about two weeks to complete the job. Please be alert for workers close to the road when driving the parkway.

Written by Julie Lukert