Lake Anna Connections

High Bridge Trail State Park Expands L ooking for a fun weekend or day trip from the Lake Anna area? A visit to High Bridge Trail State Park might be the perfect choice for a safe, socially-distanced adventure. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) purchased 30 acres in Pamplin, Virginia from Norfolk Southern to be added to High Bridge Trail State Park. The acquisition, 15 years in the making, will connect the trail to its planned western terminus near the Pamplin train depot. “Ultimately, that’s what parks are for: connecting people,” DCR Director Clyde Cristman said. “We’re grateful to Norfolk Southern for their contributions and belief in our mission to preserve both natural and historic resources like High Bridge Trail and we’re proud to present them to the public as the wonderful recreational opportunities that they are.” “This acquisition is a momentous step toward fulfilling the park’s master plan and continuing to bring economic development to Central Virginia in the original spirit of the rail line established over 150 years ago,” Virginia State Parks Director Melissa Baker said. “It’s thebiggest thing that could happen for Pamplin,” Mayor Sarah Hamlett BlackweIl said. “Small, rural communities likeours areprone tobeing left behind, but here we have this amazing opportunity to redefine ourselves around the current trends in recreation and ecotourism.” Norfolk Southern kept a mile of track onbothsidesof itsoriginal2006donation for logistical and storage purposes. Pamplin residents and business owners have been anticipating the trail’s arrival ever since. Their revitalization efforts are evident in the small business district; several buildings have new facades and visible improvements throughout. The train depot, owned by the town, was recently renovated and is now home to regularly scheduled community events like live music, yoga classes and movie screenings. “SettingupPamplin toact as ananchor for the trail is a huge step forward for the park and the public,” Park Manager Daniel Jordan said. “It’s invaluable to us to finally have a truewestern terminus, but it’s reallyamutuallybeneficiallydevelopment between the park and Pamplin.” “While it’s hard to contain my excitement over this milestone, we still have a long way to go,” Jordan said. Additional funding is still needed to clean and clear the corridor, prepare the trail surface, and install gates and signage, but Jordan is optimistic that with help from the community and volunteers, they can begin early phases of development. “We are so appreciative of DCR and of Norfolk Southern for continuing to pursue the trail’s completion and passing this opportunity along to Pamplin,” Hamlett Blackwell said. When the new section is complete, High Bridge Trail State Parkwill span 32.2 miles from just outside Burkeville in the east to Pamplin in the west. The trail passes right through downtown Farmville and has provided recreational and economic opportunities for the community since its grand opening in 2007. photos courtesy Va. Dept. of Conservation & Recreation WWW.LAKEANNACONNECTIONS.COM 84