As previously reported by the West Virginia Daily News, progress continues to be made on the Meadow River Rail Trail.
According to wvrailtrails.org, “The Meadow River Rail Trail is a planned 23.1-mile pathway that traces its scenic namesake river in Southern West Virginia’s Fayette and Greenbrier Counties. It will run from Rainelle to Nallen and may one day connect to the Gauley River National Recreation Area at its northern end. The compacted stone trail will be suitable for walking, biking, fishing and possibly horseback riding.
The Rail Trail will follow a former CSX spur line built in 1907 that once serviced the former Meadow River Lumber Company. It will include two trestle bridge crossings over the Meadow River.
In 2016, 16.7 miles has been purchased and funded for development and another 6.4 has been purchased and yet to be developed. Several miles of trail had been built and bridges decked but were destroyed in the June 2016 floods.”
The project, which has suffered numerous setbacks, including the aforementioned flooring that occurred in 2016, has been in development now for well over a decade. However, this week’s announcement of an additional source of funding means that the Meadow River Rail Trail can continue building upon the progress that has been made thus far.
Recently, the Greenbrier Environmental Group wrote a grant request to the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Abandoned Mine and Reclamation division. On Tuesday, January 26, it was announced that the DEP has granted the request, and will be providing funding in the amount of $1.8 million to the Greenbrier County Commission to continue the project.
According to Matt Ford, president of the Greenbrier Environmental Group (GEP) and Project Coordinator of the Meadow River Rail Trail, “This grant should help us with approximately a 6.4-mile section of the trail which starts in Rainelle and goes down river.”
According to Ford, “This grant should help us with approximately a 6.4-mile section of the trail which starts in Rainelle and goes downriver.”
Regulations require that the trail contains a gravel path that is at least one-foot thick. Once contractors and suppliers have been sourced, Ford is hopeful that the funds will allow for the completion of even more than the 6.4-miles originally estimated.
While talking with the West Virginia Daily News, Ford also spoke of additional needs that the project has.
“Funding to get the bridges decked is a major need that we have right now,” Ford said. “Once that’s done, the trails can open. We’re really targeting that as our next big push.”
Several sections of bridges had already been re-decked prior to the flooding in 2016. Unfortunately, the flooding left many new and existing sections unusable.
According to Kara Dense, executive director of the Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors Bureau, “This is a wonderful project.”
“I’m so excited,” Dense said. “I truly think this could be a game-changer for the western end of the county. I’m a Rainelle girl, from a personal and professional standpoint, it’s great to see this kind of development in my hometown.”
However, despite the positive feedback that the project has received and the numerous potential benefits to the community, one criticism that has been made is that the Rail Trail does not offer an area for the use of ATVs or UTVs.
To that point, Ford responded with a post on social media.
“The Meadow River Rail Trail was acquired from CSX for interim trail use with restrictions,” Ford said. “The counties are not allowed to open the trail for ATV/UTV use. It can only be used for non-motorized recreational trail purposes. ATV/UTV trails require the cooperation of landowners. It is our understanding that the landowner that owns the most land in the region is not supportive of commercial ATV/UTV trails on their property.”
As outlined in the sale-agreement with CSX, ATV/UTV trails are not feasible without the express consent of the surrounding landowners.
Aside from the lack of an ATV/UTV trail, both the project itself as well as what it could mean for the surrounding communities has been met with near-universal praise.
One Facebook user commented, “This trail is big for both counties. (Greenbrier and Fayette.) Running alongside the trail is an untapped commodity as well; the Meadow River. I would like to see signage along the trail and put-in/take-out points for kayakers and fisherman. All around great project.”
West Virginia Senate Minority Leader Stephen Baldwin is one of several state officials to become more involved in the Rail Trail project in recent months.
“Matt Ford has done a tremendous job keeping it (the Meadow River Rail Trail project) alive,” Baldwin said. “It’s important for the Meadow River Valley in several ways — flood recovery, tourism and economic development. It’s a beautiful trail that people will travel to visit.”
Baldwin further stated, “Right now we’re in the midst of working through government bureaucracy to get it moving again, but we will get it moving. Matt wouldn’t settle for anything less and neither will I.”
The potential economic benefits to Greenbrier County are significant. And with the New River Gorge recently being named as the country’s newest national park, the completion of the Meadow River Rail Trail presents unlimited tourism opportunities for Fayette County, as well.
While no sections of the trail are yet completed, Ford says that Spring of 2022 has been targeted as the completion date for the area surrounding Russellville.
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.