Virginia Capital Trail Foundation

The Virginia Capital Trail Foundation is a nonprofit organization with a mission to oversee completion, enhancement, and promotion of the Virginia Capital Trail into a world-class amenity. 
 Click here to make your secure online donation.

News from the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation
December 2014
Happy Holidays, Trail Supporters!
 
You have no idea how exciting it is for me to be using the words next year for the last time when referring to the completion of the Virginia Capital Trail. In a couple weeks, I get to say, "The Virginia Capital Trail will be complete later this year." While it's not yet time to celebrate officially, I find myself giving a loud WOOHOO! whenever I drive along Route 5 and see so much progress. (Try it, the guys in the bright green vests love it!) 
 

Given the season and the giant strides made this year, I want to make sure everyone knows how many people have had a hand in where we find ourselves, which is this close to the finish line. 

So here we go, in no particular order: V-DOT project managers and their teams, who have overcome obstacle after obstacle; the contractors, who have built a gorgeous trail thus far; private landowners from four localities along the Trail, who are excited to be a part of the region's transformation; local officials from Richmond, Henrico, Charles City, and James City counties, who share in the vision; state lawmakers and transportation leaders, who have made sure the project got the necessary funding; Foundation partners, donors, and volunteers--from every Cap2Cap sponsor, participant, and volunteer to those who have given so incredibly generously for things like trailheads, benches, signs, and other enhancements that contribute to an enjoyable and memorable trail experience; our Trail Patrol members, who dedicate their free time to ensuring a safe, well-maintained trail and friendly trail experiences for all; and, of course, the VCTF staff (Mandy! Katie! Karen! Julie!) and board of directors, who tirelessly share their expertise, money, passion, and wisdom in guiding us toward our goals. All of these people are, and always have been, dedicated to the belief that the Virginia Capital Trail will be a very, very good thing for our residents, communities, region, and the Commonwealth.  
They all have my sincere respect, gratitude, and admiration, because the whole awesome team is in the final stages of creating what will become an enduring success story.

Happy, happy holidays, and I look forward to celebrating with you in 2015.

Beth Weisbrod
Executive Director
Virginia Capital Trail Foundation

 


Did You Know?
Some quick facts about Atlanta's Silver Comet Trail, a 61-mile multi-use rail-trail connecting Smyrna to Cedartown, Georgia:


  • 1.9 million users a year flock to the Silver Comet Trail.
  • Total spending (direct and indirect) is estimated at nearly $120 million a year.
  • This activity supports 1,300 jobs, creating $37 million in earnings.
  • Bike Tourism is responsible for an estimated $20 million of revenue a year.
  • The Silver Comet Trail is responsible for an estimated 4 to 7 percent increase in property values for homes within one-quarter mile of it.

Join Us for the 2015 Cap2Cap!
 
 
A record number of people are taking advantage of the early bird pricing for the 10th Anniversary Cap2Cap, scheduled
 for Saturday, May 9, 2015. Be sure to sign up before the price bump on January 1! 
 
 
2015 will be the best ride yet, with the Williamsburg routes taking full advantage of the 27.5 miles of Trail completed in James City and Charles City counties. Imagine riding for hours, safely separated from car traffic! Plans are in motion for a post-ride celebration appropriate for ten years of coming together in support of our Trail. 

email us if you're interested in sponsorships. Volunteer signups will be available on our website in January.
 
As always, we appreciate support in all its forms!
 

   

Construction Progress

City of Richmond:
More rails have disappeared! Everything is still moving forward in time for a Summer 2015 completion.  

Rails are gone by the Boat Club between
Rocketts Landing and downtown RVA

Varina:
Progress is visible everywhere. Check out the cool bridge over the Pocahontas Parkway (895). Construction is still on target for a Summer 2015 completion.




New Market Heights:
A lot of visible construction happening on this phase. It's scheduled to be complete by Fall 2015.
Working on a bridge over wetlands near the
VCU Rice Center
 
Attention, James City County Trail Users!

 

For the safety of the public, the Virginia Capital Trail in the vicinity of Mainland Farm will be closed from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on the following days for a controlled hunt to thin out the waterfowl population on Mainland Farm:

  • Monday, Dec. 22
  • Tuesday, Dec. 23
  • Wednesday, Dec. 24
  • Monday, Dec. 29
  • Tuesday, Dec. 30
  • Wednesday, Dec. 31
Contact Renee Dallman of James City County with any questions. 

An Easy Way to Support Us

Use this link every time you shop on Amazon.com, and .5% of your purchase will be donated to the VCTF through the AmazonSmile program. Thank you to all who have already used it!  

Biking in Virginia

Check out the new portal our friends at Bike Virginia have recently launched. They're looking for ambassadors and also need community-based submissions to make the website successful.

Learn more about sponsorships along the Trail
VCTF Newsletter Ad Guidelines

The Board of Directors
of the
Virginia Capital Trail Foundation


Charles Donato 
Chairman
Don Garber  
Vice-Chairman
Bill Gillespie
Secretary
Mary Lou Ivey  
Treasurer

Stuart W. Blaine
James G. Carr
Tom Cosgrove
Donna Owens Cox
Leah Dempsey
Mark Dozier
Richard Grossman
Jon Lugbill
Lucy Meade
Mark Merhige
Jay Paul
Fred Plaisted
Tracey Ragsdale
Julie Rautio
Cullen Seltzer
Randolph Trow
Ben White, IV
David Wilson

Honorary Board Members

Whitt Clement
Ned Massee
Alain Outlaw


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