From the Allegheny Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay, the James River runs from west to east through most of Virginia.
Belonging only to Virginia, the James River carries significant history along its banks: It is the site of the first permanent English Settlement and democratic government in America, and the home of Native Americans for thousands of years before that.
For hundreds of years, the river has also been a main trade route and the site of various battles during war times.
In recent years, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation has been working to put together a system of land and bicycle trails — called the James River Heritage Trail — celebrating the river’s rich history and current offerings.
“The big benefit … it would be a little more marketing for our trails and parks,” said Alister Perkinson, James City County Parks administrator. “We’d appear in state parks pamphlets and brochures about the trail.”
While the trail system was first proposed in 2011, plans are still in the early stages. The department of conservation and recreation is currently working to identify funding sources and localities that would support the designation of an official trail system.
On March 12, the James City County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution of support for the trail system.
The resolution does not commit the county to giving funding or investing resources, although that could be an option in the future, Perkinson said.
How the idea came about
Although it could take years, the James River Heritage Trail could help boost recreation, conservation and education in the entire James River watershed, said Jennifer Wampler, trails coordinator for the department of conservation and recreation.
The watershed encompasses at least two dozen cities and counties in Virginia.
The James River is already a designated water trail, but does not have an official land-based trail system.
In 2011, the department of conservation and recreation developed a plan for the proposed trail system, which aims to use public and private partners to create new landings and access points to the water.
The plan also suggests entrepreneurs develop “associated support services” such as campgrounds, restaurants, B&Bs, and outdoor adventure supplies.”
The department of conservation and recreation pressed “pause” on the James River Heritage Trail a few years ago when the James River Association began its Envision the James plan.
Getting things going
Recently, the Town of Scottsville contacted the department of conservation and recreation, asking the state to bring back the initiative to create the statewide trail. Wampler noted the town said other localities were also interested in a statewide collaboration.
The department of conservation and recreation then released an updated draft plan and a small survey to localities about two months ago, Perkinson said.
Perkinson said the survey asked whether that locality would be interested in hosting a section of the heritage trail, adding the trail to its comprehensive plan and passing a resolution of support.
In the Williamsburg area, the Virginia Capital Trail could be used as a link in the trail system, Wampler said.
Perkinson said James City County has participated in other regional trail systems in the past.
Some of the county’s trails are part of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, which runs from the George P. Coleman Bridge in Yorktown to Richmond.
Wampler hopes the James River Heritage Trail will come together using numerous resources, such as surplus rail lines, bike trails and lanes, walking and hiking trails and local water access points.
But whatever it turns out to be, it will take time and money for maintaining the trails, building a brand and promoting the system.
“This is a plan that’s looking 50 years out,” Wampler said. “It’s absolutely a huge concept.”
