{"id":1796,"date":"2025-07-11T19:31:17","date_gmt":"2025-07-11T19:31:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.derailthetrail.org\/?page_id=1796"},"modified":"2025-07-11T21:27:43","modified_gmt":"2025-07-11T21:27:43","slug":"issue-non-existant-trailheads","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.derailthetrail.org\/?page_id=1796","title":{"rendered":"Non-existent trailheads"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#9fb5a0″ custom_padding=”1px||1px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.derailthetrail.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/unnamed.png” title_text=”unnamed” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#7fad14″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_padding=”15px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

\u00a0The issue:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Non-Existent Trailheads<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n

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The Problem\/Objection:<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n

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The terminus of this trail is at a location where NO user parking is planned. It will create significant parking problems and conflicts with landowners.<\/p>\n

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A solution:<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Build a traihead or remove this section of trail until it can be developed properly.<\/p>\n

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and Further More:<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n

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There are several areas that have this issue. The one on the eastern terminus is the worst.\u00a0 We will take a look at three of these below.<\/p>\n

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Worth Knowing Details.<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n

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–<\/strong><\/span> Most trail users do not want to be hiking, biking, or horseback riding on roads. They will insist on beginning at a location that connects directly to the trail.<\/p>\n

–<\/strong><\/span> Most general public proponents of this trail do not realize that sections of this trail are directly on roads. They hear trail, and they blankly say “build it”.\u00a0 Once they\u00a0 come to the realization of mixing trail with road sections, they will gravitate to the off road trails and will need trailheads connected to them.<\/p>\n

–<\/strong> <\/span>The public tends to create what they need if it is not provided for them. Trailheads will be no different.<\/p>\n

–<\/strong><\/span> Any point where the trail (a longer section of trail) meets a public road there should be a trailhead. This would help keep the trail from failing in it being used.<\/p>\n

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1). The Eastern Terminus.<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n

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It’s the closest spot serving the east side from any highway(route 220) and users will naturally be attracted to use this spot.\u00a0 It is a narrow dead end road and it serves as access for landowners. By doing nothing here, VDOT is creating significant conflict between users and Landowners.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.derailthetrail.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/eastern-terminus.jpg” title_text=”eastern terminus” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”|||8px|false|false” custom_padding=”||0px|||” border_width_all=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Fixes:<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n

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a)<\/strong>. If there is not enough money at this time to complete the entire trail as originally planned, then don’t fix bridge #66 (and don’t prep the RR bed (in yellow) for trail use). Thus forcing all users to use the Parr trailhead.<\/p>\n

-OR –<\/p>\n

b)<\/strong>. Create a trailhead at the Eastern most terminus (end of state route 818). The road area would have to be opened up so vehicles could turn around. Then enough room for some parking would have to be accomplished. Even if the trail continues from future expansion, a trailhead here should be created because most users will not want to bike, hike or ride a horse to get to this point by using the public road (state route 818).<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.derailthetrail.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/photo-bridge-terminus.jpg” title_text=”photo bridge terminus” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider color=”rgba(172,224,183,0.74)” divider_weight=”8px” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”|||8px|false|false” custom_padding=”||0px|||” border_width_all=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

2). Rte 817 & the trail.<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n

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There is another section that trail users will want to start at without traveling on a public road to get to, and that is where Old Rail Road (state route 817) and the trail come together.<\/p>\n

This is a more difficult spot to work out problems because the area is surrounded by all private property.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.derailthetrail.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Greg-hannah-trailhead.jpg” title_text=”Greg hannah trailhead” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”|||8px|false|false” custom_padding=”||0px|||” border_width_all=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Fixes:<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#0f0f0f” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.5em” width=”82.2%” custom_margin=”-27px|20px||25px|false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

a)<\/strong>. Similar to the Eastern Terminus of trail, the #92 bridge could be delayed in it’s repairs. Perhaps an opportunity will arise in the future for a trailhead here.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, not fixing bridge #92 would stop users from being on this section and the need for a trailhead. All trail users would be contained in the section of the Parr trailhead.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.derailthetrail.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Greg-hannah-trailhead-1.jpg” title_text=”Greg hannah trailhead” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider color=”rgba(172,224,183,0.74)” divider_weight=”8px” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”|||8px|false|false” custom_padding=”||0px|||” border_width_all=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

3). Oriskany<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n

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There is a trailhead planned in Oriskany, but it does not connect to any part of non-motorized trail. As mentioned above, this leads to trail users creating their own parking places by the trails.<\/p>\n

Fixes:<\/strong> this is discussed in depth at,<\/p>\n

Dangerous Trailhead<\/a><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.derailthetrail.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Oriskany-trailhead.jpg” title_text=”Oriskany trailhead” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider color=”rgba(172,224,183,0.74)” divider_weight=”8px” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”|||8px|false|false” custom_padding=”||0px|||” border_width_all=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Speak out Now !<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n

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All three areas of trail mentioned above need revamping. Each one should be commented on in separate emails so there is no confusion for VDOT. Please take the time to send comments to VDOT.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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There is an active link below to send in comments.\u00a0Some computers have security features that block the use of the email button. When that happens, you need to use your regular email service and type in the email address given below.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Be sure to include in the Subject Title….<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Craig Botetourt Scenic Trail: Comment<\/strong>“
<\/strong><\/p>\n

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email hidden; JavaScript is required<\/span>