New superintendent named for Blue Ridge Parkway

Mark Woods, 53, has been named the new superintendent of the Blue Ridge Parkway, according to Thursday's Roanoke Times. A long-time veteran of the National Park Service, the Times noted that his leadership comes at a rocky time in Park history:

Woods takes over during a precarious time in the parkway’s 78-year history. The parkway has a $400 million backlog of maintenance projects. The federal budget sequester forced automatic 5 percent cuts, which amounted to a $740,000 reduction. Several sites along the parkway were forced to close this year, including Roanoke Mountain Campground, the Rocky Knob Visitor Center and the Smart View picnic area.

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell
Milepost 0 of Blue Ridge Parkway
Afton, Virginia