The Virgin Islands Trail Alliance has completed and opened the first new trail segment within the Maroon Sanctuary Territorial Park on St. Croix, creating a new one-mile pathway that connects Mount Eagle to Scenic Road and forms part of a three-mile loop utilizing existing dirt roads and traditional trails, a press release announced.
The new segment begins at Mount Eagle, the island’s highest peak, and descends to Scenic Road east of the top of the Beast. The trail is designed for hikers and mountain bikers and is intended for human-powered recreation, according to the press release.
The project was completed through a partnership between the Virgin Islands Trail Alliance and the Department of Planning and Natural Resources’ Division of Territorial Parks and Protected Areas. Ongoing efforts within the park include the development of additional trails and scenic overlooks, improvements to picnic areas, invasive species removal and the planting of native and fruit trees, the press release stated.
Rock Solid Trail Contracting assisted with trail design and construction, while the CHANT Conservation Corps provided construction support. Parking areas near trailheads on Scenic Road are also being improved, including locations east of the Beast and west of Blue Mountain Tower Road. Roadside cleanup and signage installation remain underway, the release stated.
“We greatly appreciate the local experts, naturalists, culture bearers, contemporary trail planners, partner organizations, and residents who shared their knowledge and thoughtful insights during planning meetings and mapping sessions,” the alliance stated in the release. “Their input helped design low impact routes throughout the Park to create public access that showcases the Park’s grand vistas, natural and cultural heritage and enables new opportunities for enjoying St. Croix’s rich beauty.”
According to the release, much of the project funding came through an Inflation Reduction Act grant awarded to the Virgin Islands Trail Alliance. Additional funding was provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.
The alliance also thanked DPNR’s Division of Territorial Parks and Protected Areas, Rock Solid Trail Contracting, CHANT Conservation Corps, the VI State Historic Preservation Office and the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority for their support of the project.
