Waynesboro Traffic Playground Holds Ribbon Cutting
On May 3, 2025, the City of Waynesboro held a ribbon cutting for the new Rotary Traffic Playground at 101 Short Street. The facility features a small-scale road network with traffic signs, crosswalks and a roundabout. The Playground is designed for bicycle safety education and serves as a controlled environment where children or new riders can practice cycling skills before transitioning to public roads or the adjacent South River Greenway.
The Rotary Club of Waynesboro, the Waynesboro Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Central Shenandoah Valley Office on Youth partnered on the Playground. The Shenandoah Valley Art Center created murals for the Playground, while local fourth grade elementary students provided design input that was incorporated into the final layout.
The facility is open to bicycles, scooters, and electric-assist equipment. Users are expected to follow basic traffic rules such as riding on the right side of the road and obeying all posted signs.
For more information about operating hours and rules, visit: https://www.waynesboro.va.us/2275/Rotary-Traffic-Playground
GO Virginia Region 8 Hosts Project Pipeline Brainstorming Sessions
GO Virginia Region 8 recently wrapped up a series of four Project Pipeline Brainstorming Sessions. Community members, employers, chamber representatives, economic developers, industry leaders, and other regional stakeholders came together to identify local needs, propose project ideas, and collaborate on solutions within GO Virginia’s key focus areas: startup ecosystems, cluster scale-up, workforce development, and site/infrastructure development. The sessions, held at Laurel Ridge Community College, the Shentel Center, the VA Innovation Accelerator, and the Shenandoah Valley Partnership office explored the GO Virginia grant process and upcoming funding opportunities while brainstorming potential projects that may be eligible for GO Virginia funding.
GO Virginia is a statewide business-led economic development initiative with funding to invest in collaborative projects that lead to high-paying jobs. The mission of GO Virginia is to encourage collaboration among business, education, and government. GO Virginia Region 8, one of nine regions in Virginia, includes the CSPDC’s ten cities and counties plus another 6 localities to the north.
Executive Director Attends SERDI Annual Professional Development Conference
Executive Director Ann Cundy attended the Southeast Regional Director’s Institute (SERDI) Annual Professional Development Conference from April 27th – 30th, in Jacksonville, FL. SERDI is a voluntary professional development association for regional council executive directors in the southeastern United States, and provides technical assistance to regional council directors, their councils and their state associations.
Seasoned and new executive directors gather each year to share knowledge and expertise in a focused series of sessions on topics like communicating return on investment in PDCs, communications strategy best practices, and innovative approaches to meeting the needs of local governments.
CSPDC & BRITE Bus Attend Staunton Senior Health Fair
CSPDC transit staff members, Devon Thompson and Danielle Gannon, attended the Staunton Park and Recreation’s 3rd Annual “50 & Better” Senior Health Expo at Gypsy Hill Park on April 12th. Various community organizations were in attendance and set up booths that catered to older adults, with some providing complimentary health screenings and others information regarding a variety of wellness needs.
CSPDC staff spoke with attendees about the BRITE Bus transit system, and provided information on routes, schedules, and ADA service.
VDOT Holds Shenandoah Rail Trail Public Meetings in April
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has published the Phase One Report from its Rail With Trail Assessment, and will host three public meetings along the corridor in April. The meeting locations are:
Timberville
Tuesday April 8, 5-7p.m. @ Plains District Community Center, Large multi-purpose room
233 McCauley Ave, Timberville, VA 22853
Front Royal
Thursday April 10, 5-7p.m. @ Warren County Government Center, Board of Supervisors room
220 N Commerce Ave # 100, Front Royal, VA 22630
Woodstock
Tuesday April 15, 5-7p.m. @ Peter Muhlenberg Middle School, Cafeteria
1251 Susan Ave, Woodstock, VA 22664
At the direction of the Secretary of Transportation, VDOT is evaluating the engineering requirements and costs of rail service and a trail adjacent to one another as an alternative to the previously-studied Shenandoah Rail Trail initiative. This Phase 1 (of 3) Report presents proposed typical sections for the rail-with-trail alternative, summarizes supporting stakeholder interviews, and documents relevant studies and guidance documents.
Anyone interested in the future of the rail corridor should attend and share their input. Alternately, please fill out VDOT’s online survey to provide your input online.