We are so proud to have gotten the opportunity to spend some time with Kindra Greene from the Elizabeth River Trail. While the Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail and urban Elizabeth River Trail couldn't more different, this shared stroll allowed us both to see our own trails and projects from each other's perspective and opened up a big world of dreams, possibilities, and projects. Read Kindra's article quoted below, or visit the ERT website to learn more!

THE TRAIL THROUGH A NEW LENS
​August 25, 2023

This month I had the opportunity to share the trail with an out-of-town visitor, a fellow trail lover, master naturalist and poet. Jenna Veazey and her husband serve on the board of the Friends of the Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail (DRHT), just south of the Potomac River.

The DRHT is a multi-modal waterfront trail, with a rail trail history, wetlands to preserve and a rich heritage story to tell.  As we walked and talked along our historic waterfront, I had the privilege of sharing how our Foundation started as a Friend’s group and evolved to what it is now. She marveled over our signage and amenities, our public art, the trail ambassadors we encountered on our walk, and all we had accomplished in just six years as a 501(c)3. I reminded her that it was years of work before that with volunteer groups just like hers that put our Foundation in the position to launch.

While our trails couldn’t be more different, our highly urban ERT and their very rural DRHT, we share similar issues in the world of trails. Both of us are looking for funding opportunities, brainstorming ways to better involve our respective communities and boards and looking for fresh and innovative ways to engage trail users and entice volunteers.

As she shared the DRHT story and their challenges of limited rural community resources, she also highlighted their fundraising and advocacy efforts, work with their local Navy community and the amazing work she’s done to launch their Poetry on the Trail project. All strategies we could implement here in our urban environment. The more we talked, and walked, (covering nearly 6.5 miles of our trail), the more I saw our ERT through a new lens. The hard work of our Foundation, yes, but also the support we have from so many community partners and resources who love us. Getting to see the trail, something I use nearly every single day, through someone else’s eyes is grounding. Jenna’s view of our trail reminded me how far we’ve come, made me excited for our future possibilities and made me see the ground at my feet and the sparkling river in front of me like a newly unwrapped gift. I hope you see this trail as your gift, too.

Read or listen to the article at fredericksburg.com, here.

We're excited to have been featured by Northern Neck News!
​"There’s a new offering in King George for poetry lovers, nature lovers, and particularly for those who fall into both categories. Last month marked the launch of Poetry on the Trail, a 1-mile segment of the Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail with poetry stops featuring the works of living Virginia poets..."
Read the full story here!

We are honored to have been featured in the Dahlgren Trail April 2023 Newsletter. Check it out!

“This is the true place this poem would have originated…this is better than imagination. This is real.”
Poet Sarah Ann Winn

The Poetry on the Trail Launch Party was the blooming of a dream, a new avenue for expression and connection, and a true honor for the Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail to host. Check out these photos and videos to see for yourself how this amazing program engages both new and experienced trail lovers!