The planning of the Fall Line Trail hit another milestone this week with the release of the Fall Line Vision Plan.
The Sports Backers plan goes into the possibilities surrounding the trail in terms of new developments, amenities, and resources for communities. It also divides the trail into sections based on typologies, since the Fall Line will look different as it goes through downtown areas as opposed to neighborhoods and scenic routes.
When complete, the Fall Line will connect 43 miles from Petersburg to Ashland. Organizers say it’ll be within a ten minute bike ride of 100+ schools and will be in close proximity to 340,000+ people.
At an informational webinar to discuss the plan, Bike Walk RVA Director Brantley Tyndall emphasized the community-oriented aspects of the Fall Line. Making the trail a way to get to desirable destinations — including public art attractions, playgrounds, bike parks, restaurants, and historic spaces — will be critical to taking full advantage of the scope of the project.
“Success for the Fall Line is not just the pavement,” Tyndall said.
The vision plan takes inspiration from trails around the country, including the Indianapolis Cultural Trail.
Photo by @indyculturaltrail
Tyndall compared the possibilities for the Fall Line to the Razorback Regional Greenway in Bentonville, AR and the Indianapolis Cultural Trail. He also brought up the different ways communities and localities can embrace the Fall Line, mentioning Ashland’s plan to offer economic incentives to open businesses near the trail.
Henrico broke ground on its portion of the Fall Line in November; Richmond and Petersburg are expected to follow suit within the next year. The 12-mile stretch from Richmond to Ashland is scheduled for completion by 2026.
Want to get involved? Check out your neighborhood’s section in the vision plan to get an idea of what could be in store. You can also sign up to receive email updates from Bike Walk RVA or register to attend a Fall Line-inspired day of service for Celebrate Trails Day on April 27.
