Heart of the Highlands Trail System and Citizens Conservation Corps of WV partnered recently to bring the 2017 Arrow to the Summit Community Service Initiative to Tucker County.
Sixteen NCCC AmeriCorps members worked with volunteers from Heart of the Highlands to perform maintenance on Splash Dam South Trail and Hellbender Trail on Thursday. Volunteers cleared brush and armored tread. Splash Dam South Trail is a well-used favorite of visitors to Davis and Canaan Valley, winding its way along the south side of the Blackwater River from Davis to Camp 70. Hellbender Trail is popular with both mountain bikers and hikers.
Heart of the Highlands is a nonprofit organization working closely with Tucker County public land agencies, private landowners and community stakeholders to create, promote and maintain a network of outstanding quality, multi-use trails to enhance the county’s recreation and economic potential.
Since 2008, Heart of the Highlands has cultivated critical private and public partnerships and constructed five miles of new, sustainably built trails, including the widely acclaimed Splash Dam South Trail (on public lands), First Energy Connector (on corporate land), and Blackwater View Trail and pedestrian bridge ( on private land).
These trail projects demonstrate strong partnerships and effective design techniques. A comprehensive area trail map was made available to the public in 2016. An updated 2017 edition will be printed this fall.
While continueing to work toward larger trail connection goals, and also staying focused on maintaining and improving the existing trails.
Heart of the Highlands, along with Tucker County Trails and Appalachian Dirt volunteers, donated project coordination and work crew leaders. Blackwater Bicycle Association, Sirianni’s Café, and a few individuals showed their support and appreciation by providing lunch and dinner to the NCCC crew.
HoH believes that promoting a well designed and maintained system of trails will attract visitors, highlight the natural and cultural beauty of the area, and contribute to the economic development of Tucker County. For more information, visit heartofthehighlandstrail.org or facebook.com/HeartOfTheHighlands.
