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On the Trail to Success

Program or Category: Resource Conservation and Development Offices (RC&D)

Overview: On July 13th, the city of Oak Hill took a very large step on its newest community project, the White Oak Rail Trail. Project Coordinator Beth Gardner. along with many community leaders, was present for a presentation of an Enhancement Grant from WV Senator Shirley Love. Senator Love, a member of the Transportation Committee, was very complimentary of the project and expected outcomes.

Accomplishments: The seven miles of rail road formerly owned by Norfolk Southern Railroad is being sold to the Fayette County Commission for use as a community trail. The trail committee doesn’t plan on stopping here. They hope to add an additional 2 plus miles of trail that is owned by CSX. This will join the newly acquired White Oak Trail to the New River Gorge National Park trail system. This will improve overall trail usage and economic development potential for area businesses.

Program Benefits to Community:

Benefits associated with trails include:

• trail promoted economic development
• increased property values
• healthy life-styles,
• facilitated socialization,
• enhanced quality of life for residents.

Mountain RC&D, one of many sponsors to this community project, provided technical and financial assistance in the appraisal process of the project. Recreation, Tourism, and Wildlife Committee Chairman, Doug Wood feels that the developing trails system in West Virginia can be one of the best only if a consolidated effort is made on this important state wide asset.

Contact Information:

Name Position Office Phone Fax E-mail
Mike Gasper RC&D Coordinator Mountain RC&D Office
226 Maple Avenue
Oak Hill, WV 25901		 304-469-9738 304-469-3718 Mike.Gasper@wv.usda.gov

click to enlarge - White Oak Community TrailSeven miles of rail road formerly owned by Norfolk Southern Railroad is being sold to the Fayette County Commission for use as a community trail.
 

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