News Release
Linda Williams
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Contact: Dwayne Scheid, 757-898-2429
YORKTOWN, Va. — Colonial National Historical Park will implement a partial opening schedule for the Island Loop Drive on Jamestown Island starting the week of June 7. The drive had been closed since Monday, March 18 to protect turtles during periods of increased activity and conduct a turtle activity study.
The Island Loop Drive will be open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through October 2024 to all traffic including automobiles, cyclists, and pedestrians. Monday through Thursday during this period, automobiles will be restricted from being on the Island Loop Drive. Although vehicles will be allowed on the drive from Friday through Sunday, visitors are still encouraged to practice caution when traveling on the island to avoid striking turtles.
The turtle activity study is ongoing, and park researchers will continue to collect the turtle activity data until October 31, 2024. On Thursday, June 28 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., visitors will have the opportunity to engage with park staff outside the Jamestown Visitor Center. Activities will include participation in hands-on activities, learning more about the turtle research being conducted, and learning general information about turtles and the natural resources present in the park.
The Island Loop Drive cuts through various habitats seen on Jamestown Island. The loop is a dangerous barrier for turtles and other herpetofauna as they travel across the island. The National Park Service is committed to protecting our natural and cultural resources and employs science-based decision making. Past surveys have found that turtle activity, especially hatchlings, increases in the spring and fall and that road closure resulted in a measurable decrease in turtle mortality. This year’s study is the most comprehensive turtle activity study to date at Colonial NHP. The study will provide insight into turtle activity patterns and identify predictors of turtle activity allowing the park to take more effective management actions.
www.nps.gov
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 429 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube.
Last updated: June 8, 2024