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. 
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News from the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation
January 2015
Happy New Year!
 
What Happens Next?
 

In eight months, we'll have a 53-mile paved multiuse trail linking four localities. Then what?  

 

To address this question, we recently gathered trail stakeholders throughout four localities of the Trail's alignment, to talk about the future. Participants included local and state tourism officials, economic development teams, county supervisors, planners, V-DOT representatives, property owners, and business owners. Why? To begin the work of taking advantage of this incredible opportunity.  

 

We know trails have drawing power on their own, but with planning and coordination, we can multiply and expedite it, bringing tourists, commuters, fitness enthusiasts, and everyone else looking to enjoy the outdoors. Using the notion that trail users are in it as much for the journey as the destination, ideas on how to enrich the experience began to flow. We asked lots of questions to stimulate conversations, like: How can people from far away plan a trip to the Trail? After people are on the Trail, how do we make sure they enjoy it enough to linger and come back, again and again? Supported tours, campsites, B&Bs, bike repair, historical interpretation, mapping and GPS-based technology, community events, and fitness and educational programs are some of the eight pages of ideas recorded from this high-energy meeting.

 

We're now in the process of turning these ideas into initiatives, and working together on implementation. It's critically important that we're able to capitalize on the opportunity that the Virginia Capital Trail affords us. How do we best show off our part of Virginia? How do we maximize the economic impact? The rewards of getting it right, of going through the process and succeeding in fulfilling the Trail's potential are huge. Since this meeting, for example, two small businesses have contacted me.  One is a new bed and breakfast in eastern Henrico, another entrepreneur is creating downloadable itineraries, incorporating various attractions along the Trail. 

 

So stay tuned. Now that the asphalt is nearly in place, watch as it becomes the most visited attraction in the region through collaboration, creativity, and ingenuity. 

 

That's what happens next.

 

Beth Weisbrod
Executive Director
Virginia Capital Trail Foundation

 


Did You Know?
 
  • A 2011 study completed by researchers at the University of Cincinnati showed that for every foot closer a house is to a trail, its value goes up by $9. In other words, owners are willing to pay a $9,000 premium to be 1,000 feet closer to a trail.
  • A 2012 economic impact study found that the Seminole County (Fla.) Trail network has an economic impact of $14 million annually for the local economy and sustains 174 jobs. The trail network receives an estimated 1.1 million visits a year.
 
Cap2Cap 2015!
 
Don't miss our best event ever, the 10th Annual Cap2Capscheduled for Saturday, May 9, 2015. Registrations for this important fundraiser are far outpacing last year, so it looks like we're headed for another record.
 
 
 
We are thrilled to announce a three-year jersey partnership with Hardywood Park Craft Brewery. Our jerseys just got that much more awesome.  
 
Plans are in motion for a post-ride celebration in keeping with ten fabulous years of coming together in support of our Trail. 

 
Or sign up to volunteer. We love anyone with a little energy and a smile on their face.
 
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.

 
Varina:
Progress is visible everywhere. 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.

  
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!  


As one of the largest bike events in the area, doesn't the Cap2Cap vendor expo sound like a great marketing opportunity?  
Email us for more information.

Learn more about sponsorships along the Trail
Signs!

The VCTF is happy to announce that Acorn Sign Graphics has won the bid to fabricate signs along the remaining portions of the Virginia Capital Trail.  Look for them to be installed on the completed sections in April.  Thank you for your patience!


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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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