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Let's Start Counting
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This week we took delivery of enough technology to count trail users along the entire 52 miles of the Virginia Capital Trail. As exciting as all the recent flurry of construction is to us, this gave us an even bigger thrill. Why? Because counting users is how we'll measure our success. Then, we'll leverage those numbers to help us advocate for more separated, multi-use trails in the region.
Estimating usage is always a risky endeavor. Once a number is out there, people immediately question it. For years, we've been using other trail research to arrive at our projections. The W&OD Trail in Northern Virginia draws 2 million users a year. The Silver Comet Trail in Atlanta reports 1.9 million users annually. Richmond's James River Park System gets 1.3 million users a year. What does that mean for the Virginia Capital Trail?
We'll know soon. Once these counters are installed, we'll begin acquiring data. (Join us as it rolls in -- the live counts will be available on our website.) We'll combine these numbers with information we get from surveys of trail users, asking things like "Where are you from?" "Did you stay overnight in the region?" "What other attractions did you visit?" among other questions designed to help us arrive at the real meat of an economic impact study. How much money does the Virginia Capital Trail generate, and what is the return on the investment to build it? The answer might sound something like this one from the Silver Comet Trail in Atlanta:
We fully expect our counts and surveys to tell a similar story. A story that will not just support the projections we've been making these last ten years, but one that will build a solid economic case for more trails.
Once the construction equipment is out of the way next month, get out on the Virginia Capital Trail and be counted. Not only will you enjoy this beautiful new amenity, you'll be part of our efforts to create more. And, you'll be an important part of the ongoing evolution of the region into an awesome outdoor destination.
Beth Weisbrod
Executive Director
Virginia Capital Trail Foundation
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Grand Opening, October 2-3
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Join us in downtown Richmond for the official ribbon cutting of the entire Virginia Capital Trail.
When: Friday, October 2, 2015, 5:30 pm.
Parking is limited, so we encourage you to ride your bike, walk, or run to this historic event. We'll have a bike valet for those who do.
Great Shiplock Park, Western Trailhead
for the Virginia Capital Trail
Immediately following the ribbon cutting, the Foundation is hosting a private reception to thank our loyal and generous supporters.Invitations will be going out shortly. We want to celebrate with you and hope you can come.
Get out and enjoy Virginia Capital Trail Day!
When: Saturday, October 3, 2015
Where: Locations all along the Virginia Capital Trail
Some of the plans are still taking shape, but have a look below. Whether you walk, run, skateboard or ride a bike, trike, or unicycle, come out to the trail and enjoy any (or all) of the celebrations.
Richmond: Great Shiplock Park
2803 Dock St.
Time: TBD
Henrico County: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Four
Mile Creek Trailhead
On Rt. 5, east of I-295 interchange
10:00 am.
Charles City
County: Family Farm Fest
Root 5 Family Farms Greenhouse
7400 John Tyler Memorial Hwy
10:00 am -- 5 pm
4 Miles west of Charles City
Courthouse
James City
County: Ribbon Cutting and Movie Night
Chickahominy Riverfront Park
Time: TBD
1350 John Tyler Hwy
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Find Us During the UCI Championships
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Did you know that the Virginia Capital Trail will be the only way you can watch the UCI Road World Championship races as they go along Dock Street? The roads will be closed but the Trail won't be, so ride, walk or run to the Trail on September 25, 26 and 27th to get up close to the action. If you'd like to combine trail support and a beverage with your UCI race viewing, come see us at the block party in front of Home Team Grill in the Fan. We'll have a booth there during the September 25, 26 and 27th races with lots of Capital Trail Pale Ale cans and merch available. Thank you Hardywood and Home Team Grill!
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Giant Step Forward
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The VCTF is thrilled to announce that A. Morton Thomas and Associates has been awarded the contract for design and installation of amenities along the Virginia Capital Trail. This means they'll be helping us with bike racks, benches, rain shelters, and fixit stations all along the Trail. We should have everything in the ground by spring.
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Thank You!
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A sincere thank you to the VCTF's three summer interns who left last week to head back to college. These enthusiastic, smart, and dedicated women took on a number of challenging tasks and did a phenomenal job. We'll miss you Anne Crenshaw (University of Alabama), Stephanie Lugbill (James Madison University), and Irene Peppiatt (University of Virginia). Good luck this year, and thank you for all your hard work!
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Construction Progress
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Everything is on schedule to be completed by September 18! (Please, no more rain.) See the beautiful shots below.
City of Richmond: Have you seen it? Silos gone, Dock Street paved. Boom.
 No more silosPhoto: Sean Cusack
Varina:
Varina, heading into RVA
Photo: Al Covey, V-DOT
Varina Park:
Heading under I-295
Photo: Al Covey, V-DOT
New Market Heights:
Western Charles City County
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An Easy Way to Support Us
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Mile markers in Charles
City County are being
installed now.
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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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Trail Patrol Members
Don Adam
Jeff Antol
Betty Wright Armbruster
Bill Armbruster
Robert Austin
Jane Banfield
Lisa Beavers
Kim Berry
Kevin Downing
Dean Dunbar
John Emory
Jim Gullo
Martha Gullo
Roerta Hancock
Rick Hancock
Philip Kuehnert
Judy Kuehnert
Hutson Lindner
Dave Lipp
Ted Moreland
Katherine Preston
Ricardo Rodriquez
Jim Sturgill
Paul Toth
Sue Watson
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