A version of this article first appeared in the Virginia Mercury.
From new walking paths at First Landing to freshly forged mountain biking trails in Pocahontas State Park, Virginia’s General Assembly isn’t unfamiliar with putting money towards outdoor recreation.
However, the $10 million for regional trails included in the most recent state budget sets a new precedent for trails funding.
Although news of the money was welcomed with open arms by advocates, will it be a one-time budget blessing or the first taste of a new golden age for trails in the commonwealth?
An unexpected allotment
“We have supported trails in the past through various programs, but this is the first time we have put money directly toward recreational opportunities,” said Sen. Emmett Hanger, R-Augusta. “Gov. Northam was kind enough to put $5 million into the budget for outdoor trails. At one point we had even squirreled away $50 million dollars for trails, but it wasn’t realistic for us to keep t
This article first appeared in the Virginia Mercury.
When Del. Tony Wilt, R-Rockingham, introduced a budget amendment funding a study on creating a new 43-mile long rail trail in the Shenandoah Valley, the odds of the proposal making it into the final budget for the governor to sign looked slim.
After Wilt’s amendment was stricken from the House version of the budget, the idea appeared doomed.
However, thanks to the efforts of his regional ally, Sen. Emmet Hanger, R-Augusta, the measure made it into the Senate’s budget to be adopted by the two bodies’ conference committee in October. Now, a longshot proposal with broad popularity is set to take its first official step towards becoming a reality.