Whitewater paddlers in Bruceton Mills, West Virginia have often used the parking lot behind the Little Sandy Church of the Nazarine to access Little Sandy Creek. This past summer Pastor Chad Harvey told me that parents in his congregation had asked for a fence to keep their youngsters from falling into the river. The church board approved construction, but because they wanted to continue the church’s tradition of hospitality towards paddlers they also planned to build a gate. This will allow easy access to the river.
Many thanks to Pastor Harvey and his congregation for continuing the long tradition of river access here! Remember when you park here that you’re in the midst of a small community and it’s important to behave respectfully. Never change clothes, drink beer, or play loud music in the parking lot. You can do this at the new Friends of Cheat parking area in Rockville, which is pretty isolated. If you are with someone who is misbehaving, please tell them to stop. Be sure to close the gate after you use it.
As before, please don’t use the lot during Sunday morning during services or when large church functions are in progress. At these times you can park and put in near the bridge on Route 26.