The National Park Service recently announced a proposal to permanently close the Maryland Heights parking area, which is one of several small takeouts used by paddlers on the Needles section of the Potomac River near Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Paradoxically they are proposing to close the parking area in large part because it is too popular among hikers, climbers, and paddlers. American Whitewater responded with comments asking that the parking area remain open, and pointing out that the Park Service has closed other access areas that should be re-openned if Maryland Heights is closed. In recent years American Whitewater worked with the Park Service and many partners to produce a river access plan for the area that calls for increasing public river access.