The purchase of the long awaited North Bend Rail extension was just one of five new trail stories the WVRTC has to tell for 1996. The hard work and dreams of uncounted individuals in communities a cross West Virginia were rewarded with the purchase or finalized management agreements of 102 additional miles. Four properties represent new acquisitions using U. S. Department of Transportation "ISTEA" (Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act) grants coupled with private and state matching grants. One property has long been held by the State of West Virginia for non-trail use, and is now converted to trail use thanks to an innovative management agreement with local county agencies.
Here is a short description of each of the new rail trails.
The Caperton Trail - Named in honor of the popular WV Governor, Gaston Caperton, the Caperton Trail extends 53 miles along the Monongahela River and its tributary. The Mon River part of the trail extends from Fairmont, through Morgantown to the WV/PA border. The second trail segment follows Deckers Creek from Morgantown to Reedsville in Preston County. This trail was purchased with an ISTEA grant and a substantial private grant. The property is owned by the WV State Rail Authority and will be managed by a consortium of local government and private agencies in Monongalia, Preston, and Marion Counties.
There is some confusion regarding the name of the Caperton Trail. Whether the name applies to all the trail, or just the mileage within the Morgantown City limits, is unclear at this time. Until we hear otherwise, both trail segments will be referred to as the Caperton Trail. Parts of the trail near Morgantown are expected to be open to the public by next spring.
Cranberry/Tri River Trail - From the trailhead at the old depot in downtown Richwood, this 14 mile trail follows the north bank of the Cherry River downstream to the confluence of the Cherry and the Gauley River. The trail then turns upstream along the Gauley, crosses the mouth of the Cranberry River, and continues beyond the trail's only tunnel. The Gauley River end of this trail, bordered by Georgia Pacific and National Forest Land, will be one of the most wild and isolated rail trails in the state. The trail property is owned by the WV State Rail Authority and managed by the City of Richwood. The trail is expected to be open in time for the Richwood Ramp festival next April.
Fairmont to Shinnston Trail - The acquisition of this 16 mile trail puts Fairmont at the hub of a three trail system, with rail trail connections to Prickett's Fort State Park, Morgantown to the north, and Shinnston to the south.
Starting near the Mary Lou Retton Park in Fairmont, Marion County's newest trail extends to the Shinnston city limits. It will be the second trail to be managed by the Marion County Parks system and is owned by the WV State Rail Authority.
Elkins to Kearns - Extending northward from the intersection of Rts. 219 and 33 in Elkins, this 8 mile trail segment will eventually extend a total of 26 miles to the town of Parsons. This segment could become part of a 175+ mile trail system that may eventually tie Lewisburg in Greenbrier County to Davis in Tucker County.
This rail corridor was originally purchased by WV Department of Highways for a controversial highway project (Corridor H) that is yet to be completed. When the planned highway route was moved away from the rail corridor, the option of a trail project became viable.
The new trail property is still owned by Highways, and will be managed by the Randolph County economic development authority. Trail construction is expected to begin in the spring of 1997.
North Bend Extension - The long awaited acquisition of the North Bend extension into Parkersburg has been finalized. The complex deal moves the western terminus from rural Walker eleven miles, to the Rt. 47 exit of I-77 in Parkersburg. The new trailhead is located just a few yards from the Parkersburg campus of West Virginia University. The extension will also allow re-routing of several miles of the cross-country American Discovery Trail from busy state highways onto the rail trail corridor.
At a recent dinner presentation, Steve Worden, Chairman of the North Bend Rails-to-Trails Foundation, promised to have all of the trail construction completed by October, 1997. The contract to remove the original ballast is now out for bid.
The extension's location and easier access should greatly enhance the Foundation's long term goal of bringing 500,000 users a year to the North Bend. The new corridor segment is owned and leased by the WV Rail Authority, and is managed by West Virginia State Parks as part of North Bend State Park.
Floods, unstable soils, and environmental hazards have temporarily reduced access to parts of rail trails in West Virginia. All of these problems are expected to be resolved eventually, but schedules for repairs are not set for all the problems.
Trail damage from the January flood was quickly repaired, just in time for the second flood. Damage was so extensive on the Greenbrier north of Marlinton that "Trail Closed" signs were posted. A recent press release by the Army Corps of Engineers reported that reconstruction will be completed by December, 1997.
The WVRTC Board of Directors voted to provide matching grants to Council member rail trail groups who have been awarded Symm's Act grants. $1000 of in-kind labor and $2500 in cash were awarded. These grants will be paid out in early 1997 when the Symm's Act funds are paid out to the trail groups. These grants were made with WVRTC member dues and funds raised by the sale of our "Adventure Guide to WV Rail Trails." The awards are:
The Board and I want to be straight on with you. We're going straight ahead with the course set 2 years ago. It's working beautifully. Grass roots Trail development and grant funding has grown to
please and astonish us. Membership services rose early on, peaked in the midst of my 2nd term but has dropped this year as we have devoted all of our time to trail development. Local trail groups continue to adopt more miles of additional rail trails.
So much exciting news may be missed if I try to include it here, so let me concentrate on the future...What is going to happen? Durbin to Hosterman may soon qualify as our first BBA Trail ("Black Bear Adventure Trail"). Sponsors have been found for all major washouts. The ADT will soon move eleven more miles off road onto the Walker to Parkersburg addition.
Maxx Walker says we will win two National Trails Day (NTD) awards in 1997. Even though they haven't applied for the awards yet, Richwood's Cranberry/Tri-Rivers Trail and Morgantown-to-Fairmont Caperton River Trail are already winners. Especially when YOU, our members, show up to support the cause.
Partnerships with "Bicycle-WV!!" will promote WV Rails-to-Trails to 70,000 readers in their Adventure Guide. Cyclists from the region will see how we are part of the exciting adventure trails program. Together the two groups will be a strong influence in "PLAN-WV!!"
"Trail Tracks" has me stumped. An editor has not emerged from the membership. I am going to get a quarterly newsletter out even if we have to hire it done. Marty and I are too overloaded with trail growth all across the state (but what a nice problem to have). We need help to put out this newsletter.
Our Treasurer's Trove is about to be seriously depleted. Our Board voted unanimously to grant $3,500 to member trail groups to match Symm's Act Grants. We have devised a way to return approximately $1.80 for each $1.00 family membership back to trail development and that's exactly what we are doing. I am working off Faith and Partnerships. The Faith that you, our membership, will come back to us again in 1997 by rejoining WVRTC. Partnerships with local trail clubs, Boy Scouts, communities, businesses, and government to get the job done... Through Faith, Partnerships and You, I'm confident the money and miles will continue.
So listen, hope to see you all on April 19th and June 7th for NTD '97. Sorry about the newsletters. I gotta go. Straight on for another night hike along the Greenbrier from Hosterman with Troop 2...this time with 4" of snow and stars in the forecast..... and they say the Pocahontas County Howlers come out on the full moon .....
WV trails are undergoing a metamorphosis that will produce an interconnecting system bisecting the state both north-south and east-west. Hikers, bikers, equestrians and skiers will zip along on our highways and adventure trails. We continually support non-motorized rail-trails, but also recognize the Hatfields & McCoys ATV network being developed in southwestern West Virginia mostly on private property.
The WV Trails Advisory Board (WV TAB) is taking a lead role in WV trail development and planning by setting the agenda for the Spring Trails Conference on March 1, 1997. The WV TAB is adding value to the conference by expecting a work product from various user groups, government agencies and private sector. WVRTC believes that a statewide trail system is necessary for a healthy West Virginia. WV TAB members want the blueprint for a WV Trails Master Plan, the second objective of the Recreational Trails portion of SCORP (a.k.a. State-wide Comprehensive Outdoors Recreation Plan)
The WV TAB has awarded $210,800 in Symm's Act Grants with $98,700 going to WV rail trail corridors. WV Rail Corridor Trails plug nicely into the SCORP master plan. Trail watch dogs have emerged to ensure that grants are spent wisely and in accordance with the law. Dollars are tight and watch dogs are often necessary to guarantee environmental, safety and financial integrity is kept intact.
Promotional efforts belong to the new Bicycle WV Adventure Guide. 70,000 color copies will be distributed. All WVRTC members will receive the first issue. See the Trails for Tomorrow (TFT) story and how Rail-to-Trails fit into the SCORP master plan. Look for the WVRTC ad for our Adventure Guide in their Adventure Guide.
Potomac Highlands, WV Rivers Coalition, and the Sierra Club are all helping to realistically preserve the environment that cohabitates with trail development. The creosoted railroad tie removal from the Greenbrier River is a perfect example of how WVRTC is improving water quality in conjunction with trail development.
By planning together we will have networks of trails and funds to develop them. If you want to provide input to the trail master plan attend the March 1st Spring Conference at Kathy Mattea Auditorium in Nitro (location subject to change).
Maxx goes out on a limb again... he is going for 5. His record stands at two for two predicting National Trails for Tomorrow (TFT) Awards.
The 1996 long shot Depot Days Pixx caused quite a controversy in local and national trail communities. In the end Maxx was redeemed. Despite two floods, winning came down to the sheer determination of the people to overcome adversity. They won, hands down. An informal poll at the Salt Lake City awards ceremony among the nine other award winners picked Depot Days "Best of Show."
But can Maxx do it again?? "Yes!!", he says... "Yes, I'm going for FIVE!!" So what are the CHANCES? Check Maxx's predictions for the trail events listed below
While the North Bend portion of the American Discovery Trail (ADT) celebrates the acquisition of 11 additional miles of right of way between Walker and Parkersburg, the ADT portion on state highways has become stagnant. The WVRTC and American Hiking Society (AHS) have each pledged $200 to underwrite the cost of the highway mapping.
David Lillard, AHS President and Frank Proud, WV-RTC Chairman, have been appointed to a newly formed ADT Committee to coordinate routing the ADT on WV highways. Hopefully, now, we will see some progress with the DOH. The highway plan is the Committee's top priority.
Beware! Reading this story will take you back to the future... DuPont Cordura, a National Trails Day corporate sponsor, through the TFT awards recognizes the trail work past and with what will be in the future. The entire program is time dimensional. It's great!!
Take the North Bend Trail (TFT-1994 Winner and cover story Summer 1994), for example. The work of Dick Bias and Friends was recognized, yes, but also challenged to continue. The Rail-Trail community is pleased to announce that 11 miles have been added from Walker to Parkersburg. Dick's dream for the North Bend is a true TFT.
The Wheeling Heritage Trail (TFT-1995 Winner) is a perfect example of how trails will tie together urban areas and intermodal transportation. As the N/S and E/W plan develops, Wheeling is becoming a model for the country on how to plan and fund an urban TFT.
Trestle Decking on the Thurmond/Minden Trail (TFT-1995 Winner) was visionary to supply safe passage to the 500 visitors per weekend who visit this New River Gorge trail. This summer the decking continued on the South Side Junction Trail Trestle #7. When properly connected, we will enjoy a Gorge network of TFT.
Progress on the Durbin Connection Trail exceeds all expectations... (TFT-1996 Winner). Sponsors for the three worst flood damaged areas have been found!! City of Durbin first 6 miles going south, BSA Troop 2, the next 2 miles to Hosterman and Snowshoe Mountain Resort, the Trout Run Trestle. One day soon this connection will join the WM and C&O grades to form a 126-mile GBRT. The Boy Scouts and BIKE-WV intend on making it an Adventure TFT.
Now let's get to the 1997 Maxx Pixx and what's going on currently in WV's TFT. The trails community is once again going for two!! Bruce Donaldson of Richwood and Stacy Brodak of Morgantown give the edge to WV. Maxx is confident they will both pull off victories (see "Maxx Pixx" in this issue).
Richwood's National Trails Day event on April 19, 1997, is expected to draw 2,000 people. Their celebration of "Spring by Ramps and Trails" will be highlighted by the opening of the Cranberry River trestle, Gauley River Tunnel and Cherry River Depot all on their new 26 mile loop trail.
Morgantown and the Monongahela River Trail Council (MRTC) will celebrate the purchase of the 53 mile Caperton Trail and Decker's Creek Trails on June 7, 1997. West Virginia University, ideally located along the trail, will participate in the celebration. Fairmont, Westover, Star City and Reedsville will join in the festivities in anticipation of these TFTs linking their towns.
The Blackwater Canyon and Francis Grade trails (TFT-1998 Maxx Pixx) is gaining renewed interest. Maybe no one can tell it, but the Francis Grade has been the #1 priority trail for 4 years. The Allegheny and American Discovery Trails are slated by local trail enthusiasts to be routed down these trails from Davis to Thomas to Parsons.
So are you Trail Time Dimensional yet?? It's hard, I know. Try on a National Trails Day, ride on through a Trails for Tomorrow, come to a ramp feed and a trestle decking, follow the Pixx to the Salt Lake City winner's barbecue, try TFT ... you'll like it. You will truly become Time Dimensional on a Trail for Tomorrow. See you on the Cranberry and the Mon and the......
Depot restoration is important to long term rail trail development. Preservation of West Virginia's depots dovetails the historic significance of the rail-way stations with the need for rail-trail facilities including parking, restrooms, and user information. Done properly, a well executed plan can help revitalize a neighborhood, restore a community gathering place, and stimulate economic growth.
Last year Trail Tracks highlighted the Clover Lick Depot in Pocahontas County. Harrison County's Salem Depot is this newsletter's feature. ISTEA funds and the many volunteer hours are necessary for either of these projects to become a success story in the making. We hope these stories will inspire grass roots depot restoration projects that we aren't aware of yet.
Jim Helmick of the North Bend Rail Trail Foundation (NBRTF) provided the Council with a copy of Building on the Past, Traveling to the Future, published by the Federal Highway Administration and the National Trust for Historic Preservation which featured the Salem Depot as a small case study for ISTEA Funding. The following includes excerpts of that study.
"The City of Salem secured Transportation Enhancement funds to ensure the completion of its historic railway depot. The primary funding focused on exterior features and amenities of this 1912 Renaissance Revival station, which includes the installation of period lamp posts and seating, restoring two dormers, repairing the brick sidewalk, and landscaping the site."
"The Salem Depot was originally built to serve the old Baltimore & Ohio rail line through Central, WV, but rail service was discontinued in the 1980s. The depot currently serves as a community center and trail head for the 62-mile North Bend Rail Trail which reconnects the communities isolated by the abandonment of the rail corridor."
"The restored depot area has had tremendous community impact on the city and the trail. It is the only city park on this portion of the trail. A city amphitheater across the trail and the open trail atmosphere add a sense of community involvement to visitors."
If you haven't visited the Salem Depot for a while, you should...it is continuously changing to the future as restoration continues. Maybe you would like to help the progress in some way. Contact the NBRTF at P.O. Box 206, Cairo, WV .
The success of our 1996 membership program needs to be repeated if we to be able to carry out our programs for 1997. We are going to continue to our book offers from 1996, with a little extra "door" prize twist for 1997.
The special door prizes are available to anyone who returns the membership application, even if you don't rejoin. We will be giving away prizes from our Trails for Tomorrow award merchandise. To be eligible just be sure to send us back your membership form, with or without member dues.
If you join at the basic $10.00 a year level, you will receive a copy of our occasional newsletter, Trail Tracks, a copy of the magazine Bicycle WV Adventure Guide published by Bicycle WV, plus the Riding the Rails brochure from WV Tourism.
If you join at the family level of $25.00 a year, you will receive the basic membership premiums, plus a choice of either the Adventure Guide to WV Rail Trails, published by the WVRTC, a copy of Rail Trails along the Greenbrier River by Jim Hudson, or a copy of Mountain Biking in WV, by Frank Hutchins.
As a further incentive, if you decide to join at the $100 level, you will receive the basic package, your choice of one of the books at the family level, plus one of these two books:
The Durbin Route by William Price McNeel 166 pages, 1995 edition
Monongahela National Forest Hiking Guide by Allen de Hart and Bruce Sundquist, 358 pages, 1993 edition
On a somewhat whimsical (but also very serious) note, if you join at the $1000 level, you can have 'em all. At that level you will receive Trail Tracks plus a copy of every book and brochure listed.
Send in your WVRTC Renewal today!