EAST trail plan details presented
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ELKINS -- Information about a trail development plan that has been created for Elkins was presented Tuesday night by the Elkins Area Shared Trails group, known as EAST.
The group, with support from the City of Elkins, Woodlands Development and Lending, and the WVU Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative, created the plan, which proposes more than 11 miles of multi-purpose, single-track trail on four properties in or adjacent to Elkins.
The plan accounts for trails that already exist and will be able to be built in phases to allow for flexible funding strategies, officials said. EAST is actively pursuing grants and opportunities to begin implementation, and hopes to have dirt moved and trails open within the next two to three years.
"This strong showing of support will help ensure the successful development of a high-quality trail system," EAST's Jessica Sutton said of the turnout for Tuesday's event, held at Big Timber Brewing.
"We are lucky to be nestled in a valley with rugged and varied topography, adjoining nearly a million acres of National Forest. EAST hopes to take advantage of these natural features to enable the creation of the local trail system that the Elkins community deserves," Sutton said.
According to the EAST Trail Master Plan, released in September, EAST "has developed a broad and
inclusive vision that has opened up collaborative recreation development opportunities on four different properties -- Glendale Park, Davis & Elkins College, Davis Memorial Hospital land located between the College and the Allegheny Highlands Trail, and the West Virginia Department of Agriculture's Darby Farm just outside of town.
"With four different sites, realizing this vision of community vibrancy through outdoor asset development is scalable, and as an economic development and community livability strategy, the total Investment is quite small," the plan states. "$1.5 -- $2.2 million would complete the redevelopment, while lower levels of funding of $225,000 – $800,000 could transform each site into a node of community gathering, health and recreation."
EAST is planning a series of community events for the public to learn more about the project. Everyone is welcome to attend an event at the Randolph County Humane Society on Friday at 10 a.m. for a dog walk on the Darby Farm property. This is an opportunity to learn more about the trails planned on this parcel, and meet people who are already involved in EAST.
Interested or curious groups and individuals are encouraged to reach out to EAST at elkinsareasharedtrails@gmail.com or through the group's Facebook page.
The Master Trail Plan document is available for viewing and downloading at www.woodlandswv.org/trailplan.