This Land, Your Land

Work at the Clingmans Dome area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park will require Clingmans Dome Road and its parking area to remain closed through May next year, the National Parks Traveler blog says, quoting a park spokesman.

The road normally closes December through March. This winter's work will not affect the observation tower, which is accessible via a paved path from the parking area.

Work is to include repaving the road and parking lot, and replacing the CCC-era comfort station and converting the existing building to a seasonally operated visitor center and Great Smoky Mountains Association sales outlet.

Three sets of handicapped-accessible vault toilets will be installed at the west end of the parking area by December 2. "The switch to this type of facility was necessitated by the existing wastewater treatment system being outdated, over capacity, and not having a suitable location for reconstructions and expansion," the park spokesman said.