Assateague Island announces big changes with new speed limit, two trail reopenings

Assateague Island National Seashore has announced a significant change in the speed limit on Bayside Drive, as well as the reopening of its Life of the Marsh and Life of the Forest trails.

Here's everything you need to know about the national park's recent and upcoming developments.

Speed limit to drop in drive to improve safety

According to an April 23 news release, Assateague Island National Seashore will be changing the speed limit on Bayside Drive. The speed limit will drop from 25 MPH to 15 MPH in a continuing effort to make the island safer.

Bayside Drive has a large number of bicyclists, many of whom are children. There is not a bike lane along this road, which leads to the Bicycle Rental Concession. This change will make Bayside the same speed as Old Ferry Landing.

Going forward, the only areas still 25 MPH are the majority of Bayberry Drive. Drivers are reminded that there is no place on the island where the speed limit is higher than than 25 MPH.

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Additionally, the speed limit in all camping loops and parking lots is 10 MPH. Camping loops are limited to registered campers only. Park visitors who are not registered campers should not be driving through or parking in the camping loops.

Two popular Assateague trails reopen to the public

The Life of the Marsh and Life of the Forest trails have officially reopened to the public, following months of construction.

Work on the trails has been in progress since fall 2022 in an effort to make both more accessible to all visitors, improve the overall visitor experience on the trails, and increase the lifetime of the trails, the April 23 news release stated.

Accessibility features have been improved to allow a better experience for visitors using wheelchairs, guide canes or other mobility resources. Sight lines for children have also been improved with viewshed overlook opportunities.

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Two major additions are amphitheater style seating areas on both trails, and the replacement of the stairs leading to the beach on the Life of the Marsh Trail with a ramp.

The Marsh and Forest trails are great places to view wildlife and birds in the solitude of the bayside marsh environment. Both trails offer great photo opportunities away from the beach in Assateague’s less visited habitat zones.

Improvements are also underway on the Life of the Dunes Trail. However, it is not anticipated that this work will result in any closures to the public.

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These projects were funded by park entrance and pass fees. Other examples of projects funded in the last year are the new boardwalk at the Maryland Visitor Center, renovation of the Old Ferry Landing area, renovation of Well #1 on the island, design of a new freshwater distribution system for the island, and replacement of the entrance sign at the visitor center.

Visitors are reminded that pets, bicycles, skateboards, hoverboards and roller skates are not allowed on park trails. This is a safety regulation due to the confined space on the trails, combined with the high volume of visitors often using the trails at the same time.

Olivia Minzola covers communities on the Lower Shore. Contact her with tips and story ideas at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Assateague Island reopens two popular trails, lowers one speed limit