Accessible trail at Cinnamon Bay ruins

A formal ribbon cutting this week marked completion of the island's second accessible train in the Park.

The project at Cinnamon Bay project is 610 feet long and uses ramps and raised walkways to make it possible for people using wheelchairs or needing support or assistance to enjoy the recovered ruins of the ancient sugar factory.  

Visitors can see where sugar cane was processed to become rum, a boiling house where kettles boiled down the syrup to crystal form.  Also on the property are crypts of a Danish family who lived and died on the island.

The accessible trail was the result of 30 volunteers donating 600 hours of their time to the construction , as well as donations of time and materials from MSI Building Supplies, Carlson Construction, Paradise Lumber and others.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony drew about 50 people.  On hand were Joe Kessler, president of the Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park; Mike Anderson, deputy superintendent of the Park.  Cutting the red ribbon to open the trail were, and long-time island residents Janet George-Carty and Guy Benjamin, both of whom use wheelchairs.

The other accessible trail is at Francis Bay. The Friends opened that in September of 2009. However it is not complete yet, requiring more funding.