GREENBRIER RIVER TRAIL
One of the groups that invited Gronan to speak was a local Rotary Club, where a state senator just happened to be in attendance. Weeks later, Gronan found himself at the West Virginia Statehouse, advocating for a rail-trail in the Greenbrier Valley. “They couldn’t turn it down,” Gronan said. On March 24, 1980, then-West Virginia Gov. Jay Rockefeller signed a bill creating the Greenbrier River Trail State Park. The park runs from the village of Caldwell in the south to the for- mer company town of Cass in the north—where visitors can still enjoy a number of scenic train rides and bunk in a restored company house. Along the way, it passes through or next to five other state parks and state forests. Jody Spencer, the superintendent of nearby Watoga State Park, who oversees the trail, said that it has long been pivotal in a region where views are plentiful, but where safe and accessible rec- reation opportunities are in short supply. “A lot of seniors aren’t com- fortable biking on the road. A lot of young families have young kids who are just learning to bike,” Spencer said. “But, at the same time, if you want a little bit of adventure, you can pack in all 80 miles and rustic camp along the way.” Those looking for a little friendly competition can also enjoy the trail during the Greenbrier River Trail marathon or the Great Greenbrier River Race triathlon (with kayaking instead of swimming), both hosted by the Greenbrier River Trail Association (greenbrierrivertrail.com), which was founded by Gronan in 1979 and now counts Nancy Harris and Lyn Guy among its board members. “Some people are very serious about it, and other people are just having a darn good time,” said
the trail delivers a big economic boost to the region, which has struggled since the mines and mills of the last century were shuttered. Guy said many of her neighbors in nearby Monroe Country drive to the trail regularly to bike, walk or fish, spending their money afterward in shops and restaurants. “I do know for a fact that people move here because of the trail,” Harris added. One of those people is Craig Attkisson, a Richmond, Virginia, landscape contractor who has bikepacked all over the world. “My heart was singing when I first rode the [trail],” the 43-year-old said. “My wife and I loved it so much we bought a cabin in Cass.” “The number of cabins along the trail used as overnight rentals has skyrocketed,” according to Spencer. While the park system doesn’t keep track of trail users, the superintendent said that “businesses along the trail have increased tenfold, and there are more shuttle services than ever. The economic benefit is just tremendous.” During my trip to Marlinton— which thrived during the railroad era with a tannery, two banks, two newspapers and even an opera house—I conducted my own
Harris, who volunteers during both events. But what really stands out to her during race weekends is the size and diversity of the crowd. “I’m always amazed,” she said. “People come from all over the United States to participate.”
Miles of Economic Development
Like the old railroad, the Greenbrier River Trail has brought an influx of people and dollars to the towns that dot the Greenbrier Valley. A 2015 West Virginia University economic impact study estimated that the trail brought in over $5 million in visitor spending that year. But the last time anyone did a detailed study to quantify the true impact was nearly a quarter centu- ry ago, when a Marshall University survey found that, during a 17-day period in October 2000, two-thirds of trail users were high-income visitors from outside West Virginia, spending approximately $82,315 ($167,000 in today’s money) at area hotels, restaurants and shops. While they may not have any recent data to point to, trail advocates like Guy and Harris have plenty of anecdotal evidence that
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