Outdoor Hospitality News

For owners, operators, team members, and anyone else interested in camping, glamping, or the RV industry.

Hiking Trail Project From A West Virginia County to Maryland Receives $1M Grant

The Friends of Blackwater announced that the West Virginia Mountain Railroad National Historic Trail Project received a grant worth over a million dollars for its development. The trail will be located between Thomas and Cumberland, Maryland.

The $1,226,000 grants from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) will also support the Blackwater Loop and Regional Heritage Trail Project, according to a report.

“To grow regional tourism and the outdoor recreation economy, the project will design and construct an 8-mile Loop Trail and suspension bridge connecting the City of Thomas, the Town of Davis, Monongahela National Forest, and Blackwater Falls State Park,” according to the Appalachian Regional Commission’s website.

“Additionally, the project will install trail signage and support planning work for the proposed 107-mile Blackwater Canyon Regional Trail.”

The Blackwater Loop Trail will include key hubs of tourism and employment, historic assets, and other important areas. The trail will also connect and improve existing trails, building new segments and providing new pedestrian and bicycle crossings for the Blackwater River and its tributaries.

“We are underway with a regional plan to connect the Blackwater Loop Trail to the broader region, from the towns of Thomas and Davis, up to Cumberland, MD, with 20 other heritage locations including towns, villages, employment centers, tourism hubs, and recreational areas in West Virginia’s Mineral, Grant, Tucker, and Randolph Counties and Maryland’s Garrett and Alleghany County,” Friends of Blackwater posted on social media.

This development is one of 395 projects that have received $319.3 million from the ARC since 2015 to support the coal-impacted communities.

“Appalachia is a region with unique downtown communities, vibrant cultural and art traditions, and beautiful natural assets,” ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin said. “I’m excited that this POWER grant to the Friends of Blackwater will help boost regional tourism, promote outdoor recreation in Northeast West Virginia and Western Maryland, and bolster the partnership between two Appalachian states.”

Friends of Blackwater will also partner with the U.S. Forest Service and West Virginia Abandoned Mine Land Office on the project, serving Grant, Mineral, Randolph, and Tucker counties in West Virginia and Allegany County, Maryland.

This article originally appeared on The Inter-Mountain.

0 0 votes
Article Rating
2 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Kindhearted19
Kindhearted19
February 20, 2024 7:56 am

It’s undeniably thrilling! The West Virginia Mountain Railroad National Historic Trail Project will not only receive grant funding but also incorporate interpretive exhibits and educational materials to showcase the area’s rich history. I think it’s fantastic that the project aims to collaborate with community organizations and stakeholders to ensure the trail benefits the surrounding communities and promotes sustainable tourism in the region.

Kenneth Jackson
Kenneth Jackson
March 22, 2024 4:32 am

Isn’t it amazing news? The project goes beyond just the trail and bridge. it’ll feature educational signs showcasing the area’s history and beauty. Working with the community and businesses will ensure the project’s success and a lasting positive impact. What do you think about this exciting initiative?

Advertisement

Send this to a friend
Hi, you might find this article from Modern Campground interesting: Hiking Trail Project From A West Virginia County to Maryland Receives M Grant! This is the link: https://moderncampground.com/usa/west-virginia/hiking-trail-project-from-a-west-virginia-county-to-maryland-receives-1m-grant/