By Sarah Richardson
The Meadow River Rail Trail is holding a grand opening for Phase III of the trail, and the public is invited to attend. On Friday, June 12, at 10 a.m., there will be an opening ceremony at the Rainelle Trailhead, on Snake Island Road, Rainelle, with speakers and representatives from the project.
There will be parking available across the street from Fruits of Labor, with MTA busses running between the lot and the trail starting at 9 a.m.
Project Coordinator Matt Ford will be on site to discuss the trail, which is a project of the Fayette and Greenbrier County commissions. Phase III design and construction has been funded by WVDEP Abandoned Mine Lands Economic Revitalization Program, and has been in the works for the last several years.
This section, Phase III, of the trail connects the Town of Rainelle with the scenic views that can be found along the Meadow River Rail Trail. With approximately 20 miles of trail open and plans to expand all the way to the Gauley River, the Meadow River Rail Trail is connecting world class outdoor recreational opportunities with communities in Fayette and Greenbrier County.
The Meadow River Rail Trail is just one part of the Adventure Meadow River Outdoor Recreation Plan, which provides a strategic framework to guide the Meadow River Valley Association and its partners in enhancing outdoor recreation, connectivity, and sustainability throughout the Meadow River Valley.
According to their website, “The Meadow River Valley Outdoor Recreation Plan is a community-driven initiative designed to create a strategic roadmap for enhancing outdoor recreation, connectivity, and sustainability across the region. Covering the Meadow River Valley Watershed, which includes portions of Nicholas, Fayette, and Greenbrier Counties, this plan aims to extend regional recreation opportunities while promoting responsible growth. Led by Meadow River Valley Association, Inc. and funded by grants from New River Gorge Regional Development Authority and Partner Community Capital, the plan seeks to strengthen ecotourism and outdoor activities. The goal is to protect river and land areas, enhance accessibility, and strategically expand recreational assets. The plan envisions increasing the economic impact of outdoor recreation, improving quality of life for residents, and elevating current assets to ensure long-term environmental sustainability and economic growth.”
Goals of the Adventure Meadow River Outdoor Recreation Plan include:
• Assess and inventory the existing outdoor recreation assets in the Meadow River Valley Watershed, evaluating their current condition and capacity to offer a high-quality outdoor experience for all users.
• Collaborate with government entities, non-profit organizations, community leaders, and the public to identify ongoing and planned projects aimed at enhancing the quality of life for both residents and visitors.
• Identify new, compelling tourism infrastructure projects to promote the outdoor economy, enhance the quality of life, and drive private investment.
• Identify projects that also help achieve broader community goals, such as young adult and workforce retention, small business growth, environmental quality, and active living.
• Develop a plan that captures community interest and inspires a shared vision by incorporating compelling renderings, site master plans, 3D illustrations, and other visual elements to clearly convey recommendations and ideas.
• Provide the steering committee and their partners with clear strategies and a prioritization schedule for implementing the plan recommendations.
The day after the grand opening, on June 13, there will be an opening of a bike rental location in Rainelle, further expanding options for visitors to enjoy the trail. Meadow River Guides and Gear will offer both bike rentals and shuttle services.
Their website cites “convenient transportation along the Meadow River Rail Trail with pickup and drop-off options designed for cyclists and walkers. This is the only shuttle service available for direct online booking.”
For more information on the Meadow River Rail Trail, visit www.meadowriverrailtrail.com. For more information on the Meadow River Valley Outdoor Recreation Plan, visit www.adventuremeadowriver.com. For information on bike rentals and shuttle information, visit www.meadowriverguidesandgear.com.
