Commentary: Shenandoah Rail Trail, an investment in our rural economy

Originally appeared in the Northern Virginia Daily

By Coe Sherrard February 16, 2024

Editor:

The commercial premiums afforded by our community's strategic location were evident to me as the owner of a popular business in Woodstock. Situated in the beautiful valley between the Allegheny and Blue Ridge mountains, Shenandoah County's rural economy is blessed by its proximity to one of the country's most vibrant population centers. The benefit is leveraged by easy access to our area from major North/South and East/West interstate systems.

As a long-standing member of the Shenandoah County Tourism Council, I learned even more about the importance of visitor spending to our county's annual budget. The cost to host a visitor here is significantly less than the cost to host a resident, and the money tourists spend stays with us long after they've gone. Thank you, visitors!

And who wouldn't want to visit this part of the world, especially among those living a mere 100 miles away? I found that my restaurant only had to provide our neighbors in Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia a mild excuse to make them travel here: a wine dinner, entertainment, or an event. Our local wineries have discovered the same thing, and when I stop by these businesses on weekends, I'm surprised by the number of people (visitors from out of town) who I don't know.

Seven Bends State Park, despite challenging ingress and egress, has surpassed all expectations for visitation, and has taken its place as another of our community's charms. It seems apparent when we provide attractions that allow visitors to experience the majesty of our unique environment, they find a way, the time, and a reason to visit.

The Rails-To-Trails initiative represents yet another brilliant concept to turn abandoned infrastructure into a tourist magnet with the obvious co-benefits of serving our community. The tremendous successes of recent biking-oriented events staged in the valley validate both the activity's popularity and the substantial market for it. And it entices a new demographic!

Local battlefields have long been an important part of the visitor draw to our region, and we've done a remarkable job of preserving the history contained within them. Non-residents interested in the Civil War era of our country's story will continue to explore the legendary battle sites found in Shenandoah County. Converting an unused corridor into an accessible multi-use Shenandoah Rail Trail through our spectacular landscapes, however, appeals to a completely different community of potential visitors who are currently underserved by associated amenities.

Coe Sherrard, is former owner, along with his wife, of the Woodstock Café, a retired Navy pilot, theme park executive, and an author of five books. He lives in Edinburg.