Help Us Bring the Shenandoah Rail Trail to Timberville…and beyond!
ICYMI: Austin Garber message to Shenandoah Rail Trail supporters on Nov 30 (subscribe here to get these in your inbox!)
Hi there, I’m Austin Garber, the Town Manager of Timberville, Virginia, for the past twenty years and a new board member of the Friends of the Shenandoah Rail Trail. I vividly remember the first time I heard about this exciting and transformative idea to convert a nearly 50-mile unused rail corridor running through our town into a trail.
It was September 2018 when Don Hindman, one of the first trail champions and now the Shenandoah Rail Trail project manager, invited us to an important meeting about a rails-to-trails initiative being discussed by folks in Woodstock. This meeting brought together public officials from towns and counties along the corridor and marked the first time local officials got together to discuss a potential rail trail project.
Six years later, that vision has grown into a community-wide movement that’s picking up steam.
With rail trails across Virginia and the United States transforming communities and boosting local economies, the Shenandoah Rail Trail stands to significantly benefit Timberville while aligning perfectly with our community and economic growth goals in the following ways:
Revitalize Our Historic Downtown
Transforming the rail corridor running through Timberville’s historic district into a trail will breathe new life into our 2011 revitalization plan, supporting local businesses and driving redevelopment in the heart of our town.
Boost Our Economy
A 50-mile trail running through Timberville is certain to put our town on the map as a destination bringing new visitors into existing and new local businesses. This new revenue will in turn allow town officials to more effectively manage costs reducing the burden of our residents. Every dollar spent here helps build a stronger, more resilient local economy.
Recreation for All
Improvements to the Plains District Memorial Park including playgrounds, picnic pavilions, restrooms, and a new kayak launch with a path connecting the park to the trail, will provide another great opportunity for visitors and residents alike to enjoy the outdoors in Timberville.
Safe, Accessible Transportation
Timberville doesn’t have safe routes to travel by foot or bike for residents and employees. The Shenandoah Rail Trail would provide a safe, beautiful corridor for people to get to work, go shopping, or visit loved ones—all without needing a car.
Over these past six years, I am consistently impressed by how much this project has been a collaborative effort. Making the Shenandoah Rail Trail a reality is a true team effort–local officials, businesses, and neighbors like you have come together to support this vision.
But there is still work to be done, and going forward, we need you to help us take the next steps toward making it a reality.
How You Can Help
1. Join the Conversation – Share your vision for the Shenandoah Rail Trail through an upcoming VDOT survey this winter. Your voice matters.
2. Spread the Word – Send this message to a friend, coworker, or neighbor. The more people involved, the stronger our momentum grows.
3. Stay Connected – Sign up for trail updates, grab a sticker and put it somewhere visible, and keep the excitement alive as we move closer to breaking ground.
4. Give a Gift – Mark your calendar to make a donation to Friends of the Shenandoah Rail Trail on Giving Tuesday, December 3. Your contribution that day could be doubled by the Shenandoah Chamber of Commerce’s Nonprofit Council matching challenge!
Every great journey starts with a single step—or pedal stroke. Together, we can make the Shenandoah Rail Trail a reality. Let’s turn a forgotten rail corridor into a thriving trail that will shape Timberville’s future.
Until then, as my friend Don always says: Keep pedaling!
Warm regards,
Austin Garber
Town Manager of Timberville, VA
Board Member, Friends of the Shenandoah Rail Trail
