The Trail to Tourism and Sustainability in Mercer County, WV
E.L. Robinson Engineering
Full-service civil engineering and planning firm built on integrity since 1978. WV ? OH ? KY
This article is an excerpt from the 2019 Mercer County Bluestone Valley Trails Feasibility Study by E.L. Robinson on behalf of the Mercer County Commission in West Virginia. Find more information about the project here: https://www.elrobinsonengineering.com/projects/bluestone-adventure-trails-feasibility-study
“Using waterways, trails and rails is a way to utilize existing resources to provide recreation opportunities and showcase the area’s beauty. We are well on our way to accessing 66 miles of the Bluestone River,” said William R. “Bill” Archer, Mercer County Commission.
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The Purpose of the Plan
?“The Mercer County Bluestone Valley Trails plan is an opportunity to showcase and expand the recreational trails opportunities of Mercer County by providing a platform for new trails to be developed, while leveraging the existing trails, parks and recreational amenities, and proximity to potential trail users and visitors within and outside the County. The purpose of the Bluestone Valley Trails Feasibility Study is to explore the feasibility of developing non-motorized trails (hiking, biking and/or equestrian) throughout Mercer County, through the identification of potential trails, and the implementation strategy needed for the development of such. The ultimate goal is to boost the economic activity in the county through destination tourism activity. The study was funded by a planning grant made available by the National Coal Heritage Area Authority and administered by the Mercer County Commission.
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The Bluestone Valley Trails Vision
?“Mercer County’s Bluestone Valley Trails plan is envisioned as a mixture of shared-use trails, rail-trails, and water trails that can meet the needs of virtually any recreational trail user.
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The strategy for the development of this plan is to take advantage of the current publicly-owned properties and develop shared-use trails in the near-term; create connecting loops with other existing and future trail systems; and simultaneously market these facilities to the large population base that is within a few hours drive of Mercer County. Due to the County’s rural setting and existing wildlife and scenic beauty, the potential to grow the recreational trails tourism has wide appeal and growth potential. In the long-term trail development area, other historic railroad draisine rail-biking opportunities also may present additional recreational opportunities.”
Sample Elements of the Plan
The Role of E.L. Robinson Landscape Architecture
?“E.L. Robinson Engineering’s (ELR) landscape architecture practice group was commissioned in the spring of 2019 to review factors affecting the viability of a long-range plan for the development of recreational trails in Mercer County. The plan provided a high-level review of the existing trail infrastructure, expansion of trails, and associated economic factors inherent to the County and State. The document envisioned early phase concepts as well as a long-range vision for how to organize the trail infrastructure, including the suitability of candidate areas for potential trail types.”
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This is just one of many examples of the impact of our landscape architecture team. See more: https://www.elrobinsonengineering.com/services/land-planning-and-landscape-architecture