W.Va. — West Virginia trail advocates are considering how to bring every resident within 15 minutes of a recreational trail as they pursue better access to outdoor recreation, improved public health, and stronger local economies
The goal was among the ideas discussed following Monday’s W.Va. Trails Conference at Pipestem Resort State Park, where 170 participants gathered to discuss trail development, funding, and public policy.
Sam England, executive director of the nonprofit WV TRAIL, said the conference reinforced the need to identify communities with limited trail access, connect existing routes, and coordinate future investments.
“Can we get everybody in West Virginia within 15 minutes of a trail and therefore adding to their physical and mental well-being?” England asked.
Organizers had expected approximately 150 participants but stopped accepting registrations at 170 because of the meeting room’s capacity, England said.
Connecting trails and communities
England said connectivity was the conference’s most consistent theme, echoing concerns raised during regional meetings tied to the statewide planning effort.
“We’re talking about connecting trails, filling gaps, but also connecting people and connecting communities,” he said.
The discussions addressed connections between existing recreational routes and ways trails can introduce visitors to the communities they pass through.
England cited a presentation by David Landis, founder of Village-to-Village Trails, who develops gravel cycling routes by visiting communities and talking with residents before deciding where those routes should go.
Rather than simply mapping suitable roads, Landis seeks out local stories and points of interest that can give travelers reasons to explore the surrounding area, England said.
Trails as public infrastructure
England said the conference emphasized treating trails as infrastructure that supports economic development and public health.
“Trails are more than just recreation,” he said. “It’s infrastructure.”
He said trails can support community development while giving residents places to walk, exercise, and spend time outdoors.
In an earlier interview, England described rural communities where residents live along highways without sidewalks or convenient access to public walking paths.
He said the benefits of trails deserve greater attention from legislators and other officials responsible for public investments.
“It is important recreation, but it is an economic driver,” England said. “It’s good for community development. It is important for a community’s health, their mental and physical well-being.”
A statewide plan for future development
WV TRAIL announced completion of a statewide trail-planning framework in April 2026, following nearly a year of public meetings, surveys, interviews, and consultation with trail organizations and other stakeholders.
The organization has since made a document titled the 2026 Statewide Trail Plan available on its website, along with an executive summary.
England said the challenge now is to establish priorities and determine where limited re
“We need to figure out where our best wins are, where the most important things are happening, where there are trail deserts,” he said.
He said identifying those areas and missing connections between trail systems would help guide decisions about future development.
“Our reing them in the right direction.”
The organization also intends to pursue funding and policy changes to support trail development, he said.
Building a common voice for trails
England said cooperation among outdoor recreation organizations will be important as advocates seek support for their priorities.
Hikers, cyclists, and other trail users may have different interests, but he believes they share enough common goals to support a coordinated effort.
“Let’s find out what that 80% is that we all agree on and let’s advocate for that,” he said.
England suggested that some policy improvements could be relatively straightforward if recreation organizations worked together to identify and pursue them.
The conference continues through Tuesday, Nov. 10, with additional workshops and field instruction. England said advocacy, funding, and coordinated statewide planning will be central to the organization’s work following the gathering.
