Virginia

Highlights of Our National Water Trails System

Posted 06/13/22 by Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Arizona, Featured Magazine Articles, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Tourism , Trail Destinations, Trail Use Tips, Washington, West Virginia, Wild and Wonderful

Washington's Kitsap Peninsula Water Trail | Photo courtesy Visit Kitsap

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the National Water Trails System, which recognizes exemplary water routes that increase access to outdoor recreation for health and wellness, promote tourism and economic development, and encourage the stewardship and protection of America’s vital rivers and waterways.

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Washington's Kitsap Peninsula Water Trail | Photo courtesy Visit Kitsap

Highlights of Our National Water Trails System

Posted 06/13/22 by Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Arizona, Featured Magazine Articles, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Tourism , Trail Destinations, Trail Use Tips, Washington, West Virginia, Wild and Wonderful

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the National Water Trails System, which recognizes exemplary water routes that increase access to outdoor recreation for health and wellness, promote tourism and economic development, and encourage the stewardship and protection of America’s vital rivers and waterways.

Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge connecting Iowa and Nebraska | Photo by TrailLink user thejake91739

Spring News from the State Legislatures

Posted 04/06/22 by Andrew Dupuy, Brian K. Housh in Policy | Tagged with California, Colorado, Funding, Iowa, North Carolina, Ohio, RAISE, South Carolina, State and Federal Programs, Virginia

Depending on where you live, this time of year may mean the prolonged dregs of winter, early signs of Spring, or some variation on “mud season.” But for most of the country—regardless of climate or geography—it’s also the height of the state legislative season. Most states’ general assemblies are part-time, and generally convene in the early part of each calendar year. All but a handful of states are currently in session. So what does this mean for trails and active transportation funding in states?

As part of the conference program, longtime West Virginia trail advocates Peggy Pings, Ella Belling and Amanda Pitzer celebrate Ella’s recognition as a leader of trail advocacy on the Mon River Rail-Trail System in Morgantown. | Photo courtesy Amanda Pitzer

Inaugural WV TRAIL Conference Energizes Mass Effort for Statewide Trails Movement

Posted 11/23/21 by Kelly Pack in America's Trails | Tagged with Connected Systems, Demand for Trails, IHTC, TrailNation, West Virginia

Exciting happenings in West Virginia last week—as local and national trail advocates gathered virtually for the inaugural WV TRAIL Conference, Nov. 16–18, 2021. Hosted by WV TRAIL, the National Park Service – Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program (RTCA), Friends of the Cheat (FOC) and Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC), the conference brought together more than 250 people with the goal of building a broad network of trail planners, managers and advocates from across the Mountain State

Graphic courtesy RTC

Miranda’s #TrailMoments from Along the Great American Rail-Trail

Posted 06/17/21 by Miranda Webster in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Biking, Great American Rail-Trail, Trail Destinations, Trail Moments, Trail Use Tips, TrailNation, Virginia, Washington, Why Use Trails?

We love that Miranda inspires people to feel more connected to the outdoors… and we REALLY love that she was able to share her experiences from along an epic 3,700-mile route that will connect the country by trail! Watch to learn about her Trail Moments, and check out her other great content by following Miranda on social media.

Notice: Upcoming Railroad Abandonment in Boone County, West Virginia

Posted 03/11/21 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails | Tagged with Abandonment Notices, Corridors and Railbanking, West Virginia

On or about Feb. 25, 2021, CSX Transportation, Inc. filed for the abandonment of 9.9 miles of track in Boone County, West Virginia. We are providing this information because it presents an opportunity to develop a real regional asset: a multi-use trail that can accommodate hikers, bikers, equestrians and other appropriate uses.

Upper Bucks Rail Trail | Courtesy Bucks County Planning Commission

2020’s Silver Lining: Six New Rail-Trails to Treasure

Posted 12/07/20 by Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Trail Destinations, Virginia, West Virginia

Among this year’s class of new rail-trails is a pathway that’s key to a 275-mile route across Michigan, a Virginia stunner with a nearly milelong railroad tunnel, a new segment of the multistate East Coast Greenway in Massachusetts, and a Pennsylvania rail-trail that’s part of three vast regional trail systems.

Vincent Viars and his running partners on the Mon River Trail | Courtesy Vincent Viars

Trail Moments | Morgantown Man Gets a Running Start to a Healthier Life on Trails

Posted 10/23/20 by Laura Stark in Health and Wellness, America's Trails | Tagged with COVID-19, Encouraging Trail Use, Health and Active Living, Healthy Aging, IHTC, Trail Moments, West Virginia, Why Use Trails?

Vincent Viars is running for his life. Both his mother and one sister had suffered from heart problems and diabetes, passing away in their 60s. Another sister had triple bypass surgery and several stents. Overweight and living a sedentary lifestyle, Viars’ gnawing fear of dying grew as he approached middle age, so he decided to make a change with a health journey that began one literal step at a time.

The Mom Squad on the W&OD Trail in Northern Virginia | Courtesy Brandi Horton

Trail Moments | Stealing Moments of “Me Time” on the Trail as a Mom During COVID

Posted 09/10/20 by Brandi Horton in America's Trails, Health and Wellness, Trail Use | Tagged with COVID-19, Encouraging Trail Use, Schools and Young People, Trail Moments, Trail Use Tips, Virginia, Why Use Trails?

While my moments on the trail can’t fix the systemic inequalities that women face, or the uphill climb many of us are facing during and after the pandemic, these moments on the trail can help me rebuild my resilience. And they are—as often as I can create them.