Virginia Capital Trail to be extended into Colonial Williamsburg, serving as a link to future TRAIL757 network

WILLIAMSBURG – The Virginia Capital Trail will be extended another 7.5 miles – moving from 51.7 miles to approximately 59.2 miles of paved pathway – thanks to a recent partnership between the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation (VCTF) and the Tidewater Trails Alliance (TTA). The extension will run from Jamestown High School to South England Street in Colonial Williamsburg and is estimated to cost $25 – $33 million.

This new segment will serve as a link for TRAIL757, a future regional trail system that will eventually connect Richmond to the greater Hampton Roads area.

“We are excited to collaborate with VCTF to bring this shared vision to life,” Reed Nester, Chair of the Tidewater Trails Alliance, said. “This agreement amplifies our collective efforts and marks the next step toward a safe, accessible, and connected trail system that supports long-term economic vitality across the region.”

The TTA, a nonprofit grassroots organization, has been leading the TRAIL757 effort since 2018. But the momentum for a regional trail system started years earlier, after the completion of the Virginia Capital Trail in 2015.

“The Capital Trail was fully completed in 2015, and I think because of the success of the Capital Trail, more trails were built,” Cat Anthony, Executive Director of the VCTF, told The Triangle. 

The Trail was an instant success, with the public spending more time outside – walking, running or biking on the paved, accessible surface.

Then came the pandemic, which gave people across the country, and the state, more time to embrace trails – causing demand to skyrocket.

“I, for sure, think that post-COVID, people are more active [and] are grateful for trails and parks and having that space,” Anthony said.

Multi-use trails, like the Capital Trail, offer a wide range of advantages to communities. 

Open access to outdoor spaces encourages physical activity and time in nature that brings trail users a myriad of physical and mental health benefits.

Trails also bring real economic value. Surrounding communities often see increased tourism, more customers for local businesses and new job opportunities in construction and maintenance.

“Trails being built are going to increase property values and tax revenue,” Anthony said. “It leads to more attractions being built.”

Several local businesses have already emerged and thrived along the Capital Trail, including Spoke + Art Provisions Co., located at mile marker 2.5, and the Billsburg Brewery, just 0.3 miles east of the eastern trailhead.

In addition to businesses, new residents – particularly young professionals – tend to flock towards communities near trails. Anthony noted that many people are choosing to live in areas that offer active transportation options that appeal to their lifestyle preferences and preserve the environment. 

Finally, from an equity standpoint, a multi-use trail can improve access to transportation and essential services for those without cars while supporting inclusive city planning and greater social unity.

Once fully built, the Capital Trail extension will deliver numerous advantages to the new communities it reaches, but an official completion date is still unknown.

The next step for the VCTF is to hire and fund a full-time project lead to “oversee advocacy, planning, and coordination with local and state stakeholders,” as part of their half of the partnership.

However, the biggest challenge remains funding.

“I like to say, as soon as all the funding is in place, we’ll be able to get the trail built,” Anthony said. “That does take time.”

The project will be made possible through a combination of grants from government agencies, private foundations, individual donors and corporate partners.

In the meantime, the VCTF and TTA are welcoming advocates, volunteers, and donations to keep the project moving forward.

For updates on the Capital Trail extension, visit the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation website. For more information on the TRAIL757 network, visit trail757.com.