Join Us in West Virginia to Celebrate the Greenbrier River Trail
Situated in some of West Virginia's most scenic countryside, the 77-mile Greenbrier River Trail in Greenbrier and Pocahontas counties has fast become a favorite excursion for locals and visitors alike. Anyone who has visited it is immediately charmed by the peaceful surroundings, lush landscapes, historical tunnels and bridges, the West Virginia townships along the waym and of course the constant presence of the lovely Greenbrier River.
Given that Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's (RTC) D.C. headquarters, and our regional offices in Pennsylvania and Ohio, are all just a short drive away, many of us here at RTC have a real soft spot for the Greenbrier River Trail!
So it is with great pleasure we announce that this wonderful rail-trail is to be inducted into our Rail-Trail Hall of Fame.
RTC began formally recognizing exemplary rail-trails around the country in 2007. The first Rail-Trail Hall of Fame inductees were the Great Allegheny Passage (Pa./M.D.), the Katy Trail State Park (Mo.) and the Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail (Fla.). The most recent addition was the High Line in Manhattan (N.Y.).
Deservedly, the Greenbrier River Trail finds itself in good company.
Inductees are selected on merits such as scenic value, high use, trail and trailside amenities, historical significance, excellence in management and maintenance of facility, community connections and geographic distribution. The Greenbrier River Trail is a model in each of these areas.
To celebrate, we are hosting a community event in Marlinton, roughly at the halfway point of the trail, on National Trails Day, June 2. And we'd love for you to join us!
In addition to the official Hall of Fame dedication and a free barbecue lunch in Marlinton's downtown park, a feature of the day will be a ride along the Greenbrier River Trail hosted by West Virginia State Parks District Administrator Robert Beanblossom. For those who prefer a more leisurely tour, there will be a guided walk on the trail hosted by a local naturalist.
The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. at the Greenbrier River Trail trailhead at the intersection with Ninth Street, downtown Marlinton. All are welcome to attend.
The free barbecue lunch, with live local music in the Marlinton Park Gazebo, will follow the ceremony at about 1:30 p.m. The guided ride and walk will leave the Marlinton trailhead at about 3 p.m. Remember, if you'd like to ride, it's B.Y.O.B. (Bring Your Own Bike). There will be limited bike rentals available in Marlinton.
Even if you can't make it to our celebration in West Virginia, National Trails Day - hosted by the American Hiking Society - is a great excuse to show some love to your local rail-trail, whether it's with a clean-up event, fun run or walk, or simply by getting out and using the trail.
To RSVP, or for more information on the event in Marlinton, contact RTC's Communications Manager Jake Lynch at 202 974 5107, or jake@railstotrails.org.
