The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

October 24, 2009

Meadow River Rail-Trail to link Rainelle, Nallen

From Staff Reports

Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., announced Friday that the National Park Service has agreed to assist both Fayette and Greenbrier county commissions in converting a 17-mile stretch of abandoned railroad line into a recreational trail.

Rahall had urged NPS to provide assistance for the trail.

“This project will benefit our rural counties economically as well as promote the health and well-being of our citizens through the creation of a recreation corridor that will make available physical activities venues that currently do not exist,” he said.

The NPS will assist the county commissions with public outreach, strategic planning, identifying funding sources and actively engaging the project team in working toward on-the-ground success.

“The importance of having the technical advice of the National Park Service to assist with issues related to rail banking, property appraisals and negotiations, recreational trail services and marketing has proven helpful this past year. I am very pleased that this important project will again benefit from the invaluable expertise of the National Park Service,” Rahall said.

Called the Meadow River Rail-Trail, the segment stretches from Rainelle to Nallen. The trail would link Gauley River Recreational Area with Rainelle Recreation Corridor in Greenbrier County.

The trail will eventually connect with the existing state park systems.

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