Steve Frey
The Radford City Council recently voted to join a consortium created by the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors dedicated to building a bike/walking trail from Roanoke to Galax.
Someday, hikers and bikers from all over the area (and all over the country) will get the chance to experience the abundant beauty and activities available throughout the New River and Roanoke Valleys.
Trails like this can contribute quite a bit to local economies. For example, according to a 2007 study, the Virginia Creeper Trail, which runs from Abingdon to Whitetop Mt. and through Damascus, had an estimated 106,000 people using it during the year studied, a colossal figure relative to the size of local towns.
By the way, Damascus, a town of 9,000, had seven bike rental and shuttle services, 21 lodging facilities within the town’s corporate limits including an RV park, an additional 19 lodging facilities within two to 17 miles of the town plus seven restaurants at the time of the report.
VCT tourists spent about $1.2 million yearly directly in the two-county community around the trail. This tourist spending generated about $1.6 million in total economic activity.
The New River Trail, which runs from Pulaski to Galax, creates an average economic impact of about $29.2 million. A lot of it is spent in Pulaski and Galax themselves, as these towns are potential start/end points.
Trails create other advantages for local towns near them. According to a Florida Park Service report, the Pinellas Trail (38 miles long between Tarpon Springs and St. Petersburg) took a small town called Dunedin from a 35 percent downtown business occupancy rate in the 1990s to 100 percent today.
Homes adjacent to trails sell faster and closer to list price than those that are not. Some builders report the possibility of a 25 percent premium for having properties next to a trail.
In the case of the Great Allegheny Trail between Pittsburg and Cumberland, Maryland, 25.5 percent of gross revenue for businesses along the trail was directly attributed to trail users and 32.4 percent of businesses said that they have expanded or plan to expand their business operations because of the trail.
Studies show that the longer a trail is, the farther people will travel to visit it, the longer they will stay and the more money they will spend.
This unified trail from Roanoke to Galax makes great economic sense and creates tremendous potential financial growth for the area.
The Huckleberry Trail connects the Christiansburg High School area with points north like the New River Mall, Virginia Tech and Heritage Park. It eventually reaches a connection with national forest trails heading north.
Extending northeast toward Roanoke and its Greenway Trail would wind it through beautiful mountain country.
Continuing it southwest would take it through Virginia’s River City, Radford, past farms, rolling hills, mountains and rivers to a connection with the New River Trail and eventually into the highlands and Galax.
The combination of the trails will create one unified trail weaving through those mountains, river attractions and past beautiful valley farms with miles and miles of incredible scenery.
It will be a destination vacation and tourist draw bringing in millions of in- and out-of-state dollars as well as providing a recreational treasure for the residents of the area.
People could hop on the trail for a trip to a Blacksburg or Christiansburg festival from Radford and get anywhere between those towns, including a Virginia Tech game.
It would be possible to ride down to the Mercantile in Draper, Claytor Lake, Radford for kayaking, a Yankees game in Pulaski, lunch in Fries or participate in a multitude of different activities right down to Galax.
A visitor could get a centrally located motel room and spend days exploring the New River Valley by bike or hike. It will be a dream come true for long distance bike enthusiasts.
Montgomery County has taken the initiative with this project. The New River Valley has become one of the fastest growing business areas in the country.
Radford and its university/river assets, Carilion activity, Virginia Tech, Volvo, farms, rivers, mountains—there is something for everyone. Plus, new events and businesses are continually being added like the Pulaski Theater with its live performances and the summer spotlight on “Walk to Freedom: The Mary Ingalls Story” in Radford.
By developing quality of life infrastructure for current residents with an eye toward attracting new residents, tourists and businesses, this growth will make the area even more attractive and build continual momentum.
Tourism dollars (which is essentially free money) will generate millions for the local economy.
The new, extended trail is an excellent idea that benefits every municipality along its path.
By combining attractions, opportunities for special events, infrastructure, educational opportunities, outdoor activities etc., the Roanoke and New River Valleys can create an astonishing synergy similar to the Blue Ridge Parkway, Appalachian Trail and even national parks or other national attractions.
This will require some investment; however, the benefits to both current and new residents, as well as the constant influx of visitors bringing new money to the area can be just one of many new revenue streams feeding the region’s economic engine.
The New River Trail, Greenway Trail and the Huckleberry Trail are already established.
It will be exciting to see the route proposed for connecting trails by localities and the steering committee, benefiting towns and activities along its corridor.
One day, residents will be getting outside and enjoying the rivers, towns and mountains that surround them with easy access and mobility provided by the trail.
In addition, folks will be driving in from places like Pennsylvania, NOVA, North Carolina, Tennessee and, well, throughout the country, to experience everything this new Southwest Virginia trail has to offer.
And, best of all, our new visitors will be leaving their recreation, lodging, meal and entertainment dollars right here for further investment and growth.
Robert Frost wrote that: “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood…” Let’s pick one and start planning that trail. It will make all the difference!
Steve Frey is a writer and CEO of Ascendant Educational Services based in Radford.
