Work will begin in 2025 to add three additional miles of trails at Sunset Park in Waynesboro. The trail extension will resemble the first mile that is currently available at the park and will be a shared-use network for walkers, runners and bikers.
The Waynesboro Parks and Recreation Department and the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition made the announcement about the extension on Thursday.
Work is possible due to a $300,000 Regional Trails Program grant from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. The federal grant is for building and rehabilitating trails and trails-related activities.
“The trails will be primarily designed for beginner and intermediate users making the park an ideal gateway to outdoor adventure for new and diverse trail enthusiasts,” said Kyle Lawrence, executive director of the SVBC.
Over the past 15 years, the SVBC has received several RPT grants to improve trails in the George Washington National Forest. The organization is currently working to build trails in Seven Bends State Park outside of Woodstock.
The City of Waynesboro is working through the environmental review phase of the project now, Lawrence said.
The professional planning efforts, funded in part by the Virginia Outdoors Foundation’s Go Outdoors grant and the Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge, laid the groundwork for this project.
“If all goes according to plan, a professional trail builder will begin work on the project in late 2025,” he said.
The trail will be gentle in grade and relatively smooth and should appeal to residents and visitors.
“The trail system will provide a much-needed beginner-friendly environment, which is often missing in the surrounding mountainous areas,” said Lawrence.
“This makes Sunset Park an ideal spot for those who may be new to hiking or biking, offering a more approachable landscape while still delivering the beauty and adventure of the Shenandoah Valley. Once complete, the trails will complement the region’s already robust trail offerings.”
The community has been a big part of the project providing both donations to the project and volunteers when needed. There will be volunteer trail work days held throughout 2025 for those who wish to pitch in to help.
For more information on the trail plan at Sunset Park or to make a donation, visit https://svbcoalition.org/sunset/.
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Crystal Graham
