Shenandoah Rail Trail Exploratory Partnership
Community Input Meetings
It’s time to talk about how we build the best Shenandoah Rail Trail for our region—attend a community meeting near you! View dates, times and locations here.
In this gathering, we’ll review the history and status of the project, why a trail is the best option for this corridor to once again serve the communities along its route, and the possibilities a trail brings. Oh, the possibilities!!
At the meeting, there will be opportunity for your input so this trail is designed first and foremost with YOU, a local community member, in mind. We’ll look at maps, photos and examples from other trails, and representatives from the towns and Shenandoah Rail Trail will be available to address questions and provide local context.
The Partnership
The Shenandoah Rail Trail Partnership is an unincorporated coalition of public, private and non-profit organizations along the proposed Shenandoah Valley Rail Trail that have come together with the vision of transforming an unused single-track railroad corridor from Broadway to Front Royal into a multi-use almost 50-mile trail re-connecting communities, businesses, schools and many local cultural and historic resources.
To contact the partnership email info@shenandoahrailtrail.org.
We’ll send out timely informational updates on the progress of this exploratory phase. Click the button above to navigate to the sign-up form.
Feasibility
In 2020 the General Assembly directed state agencies to conduct a feasibility study for the Shenandoah Rail Trail. This study, requested by our Valley legislators, involved a deep dive to assess the need for a multi-use trail, find out the community’s views, and then, quite literally, look at the nuts and bolts of existing corridor infrastructure to see if a trail would fit and be safe. Read more >>
Broad Support
The creation of the Shenandoah Rail Trail Partnership, the 18-member coalition of towns, counties, planning district commissions and several nonprofits who share a vision of a multi-use Shenandoah Valley Rail Trail is in itself a testament to the widespread support for the project.
In addition to that formal partnership, localities, businesses and community groups are confirming their interest in the project by passing resolutions of support. We’ll track those here—adding new resolutions as they come in.
If you’re a part of an organization that would like to show support, please reach out and we’ll help to get you on the list!
Community Organizations
Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission
Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission
Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley
Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition
Friends of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River
Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce
Shenandoah County Chamber of Commerce
Shenandoah Valley Runners
Shenandoah Valley Partnership
Shenandoah Valley Tourism Partnership
Virginia Tourism Corporation
Trail Benefits
CONNECTIONS
Up and down the route, the trail connects students to school, employees to work, customers to shops, diners to restaurants, and community members to parks, rivers and historic sites.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVERYONE
In the Valley, we are surrounded by opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, but many of the trails and paths are remote, and, by the nature of the terrain, suited for advanced trail users. Our rail trail is flat, primarily rural and scenic, and easily accessed from many towns and neighborhoods. It will be a safe and easy way to get outside and walk, run or roll with family members of all ages and abilities.
TRANSFORMATIVE
The addition of a rail trial to our first-rate local amenities will attract companies that seek to locate in a place that offers a high quality of life to the folks they employ. This means the potential for new job opportunities across many sectors. And, visitors to the trail will provide economic opportunities for entrepreneurship and for communities to enjoy thriving local business in the town.
Corridor History
What was then called Manassas Gap Railroad began construction in 1851 in Manassas. It entered the Shenandoah Valley through Manassas Gap in the Blue Ridge Mountains and reached the town Mount Jackson in 1859. During the Civil War, construction was halted, and much of the rail was destroyed. After the war, construction began anew and the line reached Harrisonburg in 1868 where it is still used by Norfolk Southern south of Broadway. Due to decreased interest in freight service along the corridor, the track between Broadway and Front Royal is no longer in use. Freight service on the corridor has been discontinued in sections beginning in 1989.
Governance Council
The Shenandoah Rail Trail Exploratory Partnership Governance Council has representation from all the towns and counties along the route, in addition to the two regional Planning District Commissions and four regional nonprofits. It’s a large group, but this makeup ensures each community is represented and that considerations for each locality will be taken into account as the vision for the trail unfolds. You can read the Partnership’s bylaws here.
Bonnie Riedesel
Executive Director,
Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission
Brandon Davis
Executive Director,
Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission
Stephen King
County Administrator,
Rockingham County
Brad Pollack
Board of Supervisors,
Shenandoah County
Delores Oates
Board of Supervisors,
Warren County
Tim Proctor
Mayor,
Town of Broadway
Dan Harshman
Mayor,
Town of Edinburg
Lori Cockrell
Mayor,
Town of Front Royal
Don Pifer
Mayor,
Town of Mount Jackson
Larry Bompiani
Mayor,
Town of New Market
Brandy Hawkins Boies
Mayor,
Town of Strasburg
Austin Garber
Town Manager,
Town of Timberville
Lisa Currie
Mayor,
Town of Toms Brook
Jeremy McCleary
Mayor,
Town of Woodstock
Kate Wofford
Executive Director,
Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley
David Kaeuper
Board Chair,
Friends of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River
Keven Walker
CEO,
Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation
Kyle Lawrence
Executive Director,
Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition
Latest News
Related News
Community Input Meeting Dates Scheduled
It’s time to talk about how we build the best Shenandoah Rail Trail for our region—attend a community meeting near you!
Neighboring Rail Trail Landowners and the “Taking” Claim
It is commonplace for specialized law firms to try to organize landowners when it becomes public that a rail owner is considering abandoning a rail corridor.
State Funding & Securing the Corridor for Future Public Benefit
After the long-awaited approval of the state budget, we are excited to announce there is over $90 million set aside for trails.
Support Investment in a Shenandoah Rail Trail
Tell your legislators you support the state investment in multi-use trails, like the Shenandoah Rail Trail.
Local Officials Ask Valley Legislators to Safeguard Rail Trail Budget
Shenandoah Rail Trail Exploratory Partnership members signed and delivered a letter asking for help to secure funds for a multi-use from Broadway to Front Royal.
A Shenandoah Rail Trail IS feasible!
A study conducted by state agencies found that a Shenandoah Rail Trail IS feasible and also that there is overwhelming support for the concept.
Proposed State Funding for the Shenandoah Rail Trail
Today Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced funding for multi-use trails that will make the vision of a Shenandoah Rail Trail connecting the towns from Broadway to Front Royal a step closer to reality.
Economic Impact of a Shenandoah Rail Trail
In addition to all the expected community benefits the trail will offer, Shenandoah Valley communities also stand to benefit economically.
Shenandoah Rail Trail Feasibility Study Preliminary Report
It was exciting to hear that most of the feedback from the stakeholder meetings and the online survey was very supportive of the project.
What do you think? A Shenandoah Valley Rail Trail?
It’s time to share your views! State agencies are seeking public input on the concept of a Shenandoah Valley Rail Trail.