Our blog

RTC and MRTC hosted inaugural West Virginia Rail-Trail Sojourn April 24-26

Morgantown, W.Va. – Approximately 100 cyclists converged in Morgantown on April 24-26, 2015, to participate in Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s inaugural West Virginia Rail-Trail Sojourn. Intended to highlight the benefits and impact of regional trail networks, the sojourn drew attention to missing links between the Mon River/Caperton/Deckers Creek Rail-Trails and other rail-trails in West Virginia and Pennsylvania that, if completed, could result in a 180-mile trail.

The cyclists experienced the beauty of the area and saw firsthand how making connections between these trail systems can create a north-central West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania version of the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP). Generating more than $40 million in direct spending from trail users annually (as well as an average of $114 in spending per day from overnight visitors), the 150-mile GAP demonstrates the significant economic impact that can be generated from rail-trails.

In addition to an influx of money from trail users to adjacent towns and cities, rail-trails provide transportation alternatives for commuters, encourage healthy lifestyles, raise property values and support trailside businesses.

A coalition of trail advocates, including government and nonprofit employees, community stakeholders and representatives of private foundations are working together to position trail development as a priority, in order to complete and connect trails in the region.The goal is to create a 1,400-mile network so trail users can easily move from trail to trail, city to city, and town to town, spreading the economic and healthy lifestyle benefits along the way.

Check out photos from the event here:

https://www.flickr.com/groups/2797468@N21/