West Virginia trail advocacy organization to hold statewide meetings this fall

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Trail advocates and trail-building organizations from across West Virginia are being asked to voice their opinions on building and maintaining the Mountain State’s recreational trails this fall in a series of statewide meetings.

Sam England, executive director of West Virginia Trail, says the meetings will bring together stakeholders from across the region to discuss opportunities, challenges, and priorities for trail development and connectivity.

“We want to hear from trail users, local leaders, and community members about what’s working, what’s missing, and how we can work together to expand access and strengthen the economic and community benefits that trails bring to West Virginia,” England said.

West Virginia Trail, a statewide nonprofit dedicated to promoting and advocating for non-motorized trails, will host ten in-person meetings and a virtual meeting to help engage communities, gather input, and chart a path toward a renewed statewide trails plan.

“These regional sessions are about listening,” England said.

In partnership with the organization’s statewide and cycle-forward advisory committee, which comprises trail enthusiasts and representatives from various agencies, universities, and organizations, the meetings welcome stakeholders from across the region.

England said the initiative is part of a larger statewide project to interview stakeholders, review other states’ trail plans, and conduct a statewide electronic survey with the purpose of:

• Renew the nearly 25-year-old Statewide Trails Plan
• Develop a unified message about trails for West Virginia leadership
• Better understand trail maintenance, user conflicts, and regional networking needs
• Recommend policy changes that support non-motorized trails of all kinds

England said each meeting will provide an opportunity for participants to share input on topics including regional trail successes and challenges, opportunities for collaboration between communities and agencies, strategies to improve access and equity in trail development, and the role of trails in tourism, economic development, and quality of life

Upcoming West Virginia Trail Meetings

September 24 / Prickett’s Fort State Park, Fairmont

October 7 / Greenbrier Valley Visitors Center, Lewisburg

October 8 / Cacapon State Park, Berkeley Springs

October 9 / RETI Training Center, Flatwoods

October 21 / Wood County Resiliency Center, Parkersburg

October 22 / White Palace Ballroom, Wheeling Park, Wheeling

October 23 / Fayetteville Ascend Center, Fayetteville

November 4 / Blackwater Falls State Park, Davis

November 5 / Valley Park Conference Center, Hurricane

November 6 / Chief Logan Lodge, Logan

November 1 / Virtual Meeting

England said the in-person meetings are co-hosted by a number of local organizations important to the regional trails’ effort including the City of Fairmont, Friends of Cheat, Mon River Trails Conservancy, Harrison Recreational Trails, Mountaineer Trail Network Authority, Greenbrier County CVB, Greenbrier Environmental Group, Greenbrier Valley Off Road Biking Association, Cacapon State Park Foundation, Braxton County EDA, Elk River Trail Foundation, Gilmer County EDA, USDA Rural Partners Network, River Valley Mountain Bike Association, Ohio Valley Trail Partners, Beckley Area Trails, Beckley Outdoors, Fayette Trail Coalition, Friends of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, Greenbrier Environmental Group, Tucker County CVB, Meeks Mountain Trail Alliance, Putnam County CVB, Friends of the Tug Fork, and Accelerate Madison.

All in-person meetings start at 6 p.m. and are open to the public. The virtual meeting is scheduled for noon. Pre-registration is encouraged but not required. Community members, trail advocates, local officials, and organizations are encouraged to attend.

About West Virginia Trail

West Virginia Trail is an organization that aims to increase the awareness of and appreciation for non-motorized trails of all kinds in West Virginia.  We seek to enhance the resources available for the acquisition, development, maintenance, and promotion of those trails with a focus on the economic and community benefits that trails bring.

For more information and to pre-register, visit WVTrail.org.