ELKINS, W.Va. (WVDN) — The Mon Forest Towns Partnership (MFTP) is among the first recipients of The Conservation Fund’s outdoor recreation grants through the Expedia Trails Fund. MFTP has been awarded $442,000 to support new trail construction in two of its gateway communities: Durbin in Pocahontas County and Franklin in Pendleton County. Both towns sit within the Monongahela National Forest, which spans nearly a million acres of public land across West Virginia’s Allegheny Highlands.
The Expedia Trails Fund award arrived at the perfect time to accelerate development on two shovel-ready recreation projects – Franklin’s 3-mile Peters Mountain Trail System and Durbin’s 0.8-mile Connector Trail. Both projects have been driven by MFTP’s Appalachian Regional Commission POWER program, focused on enhancing the connection of the Mon Forest Towns to the National Forest. Josh Nease, MFTP’s Executive Director, remarked, “We are profoundly grateful to the Expedia Trails Fund and The Conservation Fund for this vital implementation funding. Our early investments in community and infrastructure planning are officially paying off, allowing us to break ground on projects that connect our towns to the surrounding national forest. This exciting next step is a direct result of the incredible collaboration among our member towns and our highly effective, ongoing partnership with the U.S. Forest Service.”
Already well known for guiding travelers to the world’s most stunning destinations, the newly launched Expedia Trails Fund is part of Expedia Group’s multi-year commitment to restore, protect, and future-proof the trails, parks, and coastlines that inspire millions of trips by investing in the ecosystems and infrastructure that make meaningful travel possible in the first place. Aditi Mohapatra, VP Global Social Impact and Sustainability at Expedia Group, added, “At Expedia Group, we believe travel depends on the health of the places that inspire people to explore. We are proud that the Expedia Trails Fund, in partnership with The Conservation Fund, is helping the Mon Forest Towns Partnership expand safe, meaningful access to the Monongahela National Forest in Durbin and Franklin. These projects show how investment in trails can strengthen community connections, support local economies, and help more residents and visitors experience the outdoors for years to come.” Through its first 11 projects and $4.3 million in grants, the Expedia Trails Fund is improving safety and access at destinations across the United States, benefiting more than 1 million visits annually. Collectively, those projects are expected to catalyze over $13 million in conservation and access investments, alongside additional public and philanthropic partners.
Michelle Connor, Franklin’s MFTP representative, said the idea for the project emerged directly from residents. “Through the community coaching process and engagement meetings, we heard from more than 50 people, and the resounding theme was that although Franklin is surrounded by public land, people felt they had limited access to the forest due to a lack of backyard trails. We collectively decided to pursue a new trail system at Peters Mountain, located just ten-minutes from downtown Franklin. We hosted nearly 30 volunteers during our first community trail building day this June with Forest Service staff – needless to say, the excitement is real.”
Nicolle Flood-Sawczyszyn, Durbin’s MFTP representative, added, “Support from the Expedia Trails Fund for the Durbin Connector Trail is evidence that our community’s investment in collaboration is paying off. In addition to bringing incredible outdoor assets like the Allegheny Trail and West Fork Rail Trail right to Durbin’s doorstep, the Connector will provide a protected corridor for residents and visitors of all ages to visit downtown shops, local restaurants, parks, and the community garden.” Already thinking about the project’s next phase, she continued “it sets the stage for the north and south zones of the Mon to finally be connected by a single trail.”
In Franklin, the Peters Mountain Trail System was designed and approved by the U.S. Forest Service and demonstrates their commitment to making the Forest more accessible to towns. Construction is already underway, supported by the U.S. Forest Service and community volunteer events, and work will continue through 2027. Durbin, meanwhile, is completing engineering and design for the Durbin Connector Trail with construction expected to begin in early 2027.
Although this funding is vital for creating new trails, maintaining our existing forest pathways remains a critical priority. Well-maintained trails increase accessibility and safety for all users and attract both residents and visitors. To meet this need, the Mon Forest Towns Partnership is striving to launch the North Zone Trail Crew in 2027. Learn more and contribute to the cause at www.monforesttowns.org.
