Tag Archives: Recreation

Weigh In on the Future of the Shenandoah Valley Rail Trail Corridor — Survey Open Through May 13

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VDOT is now in Phase 3 of the Shenandoah Valley Rail with Trail Assessment — the final phase — and is gathering public input through a survey open through May 13. Respondents are asked to weigh in on whether the existing corridor should be converted to a trail (Rail-to-Trail), or should take a Rail-With-Trail approach.  We encourage everyone across the region to participate.

CSPDC and our member jurisdictions along the corridor support a trail for the Shenandoah Valley’s 49-mile corridor. As members of the Shenandoah Rail Trail Exploratory Partnership, we see a dedicated trail as an economic driver and lasting public investment for the communities along the corridor — one that supports economic development, transportation, tourism and outdoor recreation for the long term.

VDOT is holding three in-person public meetings along the corridor to present findings and take feedback:

  • Woodstock — Thursday, April 16, 5–7 p.m., Peter Muhlenberg Middle School
  • Front Royal — Thursday, April 23, 5–7 p.m., Warren County Government Center
  • Timberville — Tuesday, April 28, 5–7 p.m., Plains District Community Center

Take the survey at publicinput.com/svwt, or visit VDOT’s project page for full details.

Rockbridge Outdoors Begins 2026–2030 Strategic Planning Process

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On March 12, 2026, graduate students in the Department of Urban and Environmental Planning at the University of Virginia School of Architecture facilitated an on-site workshop at the Virginia Horse Center to support the Rockbridge Outdoors Strategic Plan update for 2026–2030. This marks the initiative’s third strategic planning process since the Rockbridge Outdoors Area Partnership launched in 2018.

Rockbridge Outdoors’ mission is to collaboratively advance, create, and promote outdoor recreational opportunities throughout the Rockbridge area. The initiative is made up of approximately 50 organizations excited about supporting a regional vision for outdoor recreation in the Rockbridge area.

During the session, the students introduced two engagement tools designed to gather community input: an asset map highlighting outdoor recreation resources and a public survey to capture feedback from partnership members. Rockbridge Outdoors’ project teams–Community Wellness, Marketing, Trails, and Water Trails—also met and reviewed existing action plans and established updated priorities for the next four years.

The strategic planning team is continuing its information-gathering process through several focus groups composed of outdoor recreation stakeholders. The finalized strategic plan is expected to be completed and delivered by the end of April.