If you build it they will come!

More and more folks in Martinsville and Henry County are learning about the trails of the Smith River Trail System and checking them out. Today I paid a visit to the Fieldale Trail on South River Road in Fieldale.

To give a little background information, this 2.3 mile long trail is operated by Henry County Parks & Recreation (HCPR). It was developed by the Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) with major funding provided by the Dominion Foundation, and is currently supported by volunteers in DRBA's & HCPR's Adopt-A-Trail Program known as "Friends of the Fieldale Trail."

The first phase of the trail a 0.9 mile section of trail leading upstream of the parking lot was built in 2007, and the newest addition is a 1.3 mile stretch leading downstream.

When I pulled up into the parking lot at 5:30 this afternoon, it was packed! Over 30 people were enjoying the trail after work. I saw walkers, people with dogs, bicyclists, and fishermen. One biker was even practicing for the upcoming Smith River Mini-Triathlon to be held on June 13th.

It was an incredible sight just to see all of these people enjoying a simple path through the woods. Even though the sun was shining and it was warm out, a gentle breeze from the Smith River kept us cool. This is definately a testament that "if you build it--they will come!"

Martinsville and Henry County is on it's way to becoming a recreational destination for both residents and tourists to enjoy. If you would like more information on the Smith River Trail System, or the Adopt-A-Trail Program please contact me at 276-634-2545 or drba.va@danriver.org.

Happy Hiking!

Jennifer Doss- Rivers & Trails Project Manager

Adopt-A-Trail Volunteers Enhance Area Trails

Take a walk along one of our area trails and you just might see a group volunteers working to improve recreational opportunities along the Smith River- and having fun while at it! Tommy Wyatt and Tracy Kennett are shown above installing the new permanent sign for the Fieldale Trail. This is just one of the many tasks that their trail team "Friends of the Fieldale Trail" is doing to help support the trail system.

The Adopt-A-Trail program, which kicked off this month is quickly becoming a success. More than ten volunteers have signed up so far to care for three sections of the Smith River Trail System. The program is a partnership between the Dan River Basin Assocaiton, Henry County Parks & Recreation, and the City of Eden. To learn more about the Adopt-A-Trail Program see this previous post.

To adpot a section of trail, please contact the Adopt-A-Trail Coordinator, Jennifer Doss at 276-634-2545 or jdoss@danriver.org.

Busy Saturday on the Smith River

Intermediate Class participants (L-R): Eric Juday of ACA, Gary Cody of Martinsville Leisure Services, Karen Giles, Linda Drage, Ruth Morgan, and Sam Morgan. Not pictured: Jennifer Doss of DRBA and Bonnie Martin.

There was a frenzy of activity today in Ridgeway, as two events converged on the Smith River.

First was an ACA Intermediate Kayak Class hosted by the Dan River Basin Association (DRBA), Henry County Parks & Recreation, and Martinsville Leisure Services. Under the direction of ACA instructor, Eric Juday, five paddlers learned various skills such as reading the river, ferrying, eddy turns, and river safety. Eric is shown at left demonstating how using knee and thigh braces gives the paddler more control of the kayak.

Soon after the kayaking class got on the river, additional boaters arrived- more than 30 of them for DRBA's 1st Saturday Outing. As the kayak class practiced their emergency throw-rope techniques they watched the parade of happy boaters float by.

There was plenty of room and water for everyone to enjoy their day on the Smith River! DRBA's first Saturday Outings are free and open to the public. To see details about the next outing visit http://www.danriver.org/.

Another round of Kayak Classes will be offered in June 2009. To register, contact 276-634-2545.

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Fieldale Trail: Phase II Opens

Sunday, March 29, 2009

By DEBBIE HALL - Bulletin Staff Writer

An enthusiastic crowd turned out Saturday for the grand opening of a new 1.2-mile hiking/biking trail in Fieldale.

“It’s great to be here,” State Sen. Roscoe Reynolds told the 25 to 30 people gathered for the event. Reynolds, D-Ridgeway, praised the Henry County Board of Supervisors, Jennifer Doss of the Dan River Basin Association and Roger Adams, director of the Henry County Parks & Recreation Department. “This is a beautiful pathway,” Reynolds said of the new portion of the trail that connects to a 1.1-mile section adjacent to the Smith River. That section opened in July 2007. Like the earlier trail, the new portion of trail was heralded not only as a path to a healthier lifestyle but also an economic development tool. Jim Adams, the Blackberry representative on the Henry County Board of Supervisors, said he went online and did a “Google search of rivers and trails. I was pleasantly surprised to find” that Henry County was referenced in half in the first 10 topics. “This is of a possible 437,000 topics,” Adams said. “One can easily see the attention that this brings to the area and helps not only promote us as a destination, but can help promote and drive us economically.”

Like several other speakers, Adams praised the Dan River Basin Association and the Martinsville-Henry County Rivers and Trail Group, which exists “to protect, promote and enhance the natural resources of our area. ... We are very fortunate to have” them. The group not only provides opportunities for outdoor recreation, but also participates in local schools “with many educational opportunities for our children,” Adams said. Group members also “are the extra set of eyes that helps monitor our rivers and streams” while looking for ways to improve the access to and quality of waterways, Adams said.

Doss said the goal “was to create a trail having a minimum impact on the environment while having a maximum level of interest.” Frith Construction made that happen, she said. “By using small equipment and sustainable building techniques the trail was constructed with conservation of the land, flora, fauna, and water in mind,” she added. Doss said there have been many supporters of the project, including the Dominion Foundation “which has been a major supporter since the demonstration trail” (the first phase of the project) was built. Dominion’s investment “helped create a tangible resource that will be used by generations to come,” Doss said. Bryant Brooks Sr., manager of state and local affairs for Dominion, said in creating “this special place,” DRBA and others involved in the project did “a yeoman’s job. There were so many folks involved in this effort.” Sometimes, Brooks said “the easiest part” of a project is “writing checks” to help to pay for it. “The real heroes are you folks” who actually did the work and saw the project to completion. In tough economic times, he said those involved are building a heritage for future generations, and “that’s something to be said.”


In addition to Dominion and other agencies, Frith Construction, Boxley Materials and Patrick Henry Correctional Unit 28 also were involved with the project, along with George Lester, James Stone, the Henry County Public Service Authority, Ellen and Joe Jessee, Dave Wilson, Kay Slaughter and the agriculture of Magna Vista High School, Doss said. “This trail is more than just a walking path, it is part of a greater vision consisting of competing the 45-mile long Smith River Trail System, the Virginia Beaches to Bluegrass Trail, and the goal of a healthier and more active community,” she added.