McGuire and his staff are recommending a trailhead be built on the north end of Robertson Bridge, adjacent to the Stadium 12 movie theater complex. The trailhead would include a parking area. Currently, points for parking exist only at the Crossing At The Dan, Dan Daniel Memorial Park and Anglers Park – all on the eastern side of the city.
From that trailhead, a pathway would follow the north bank of the river, connecting to where it now ends near Short Sugars restaurant.
“I believe that is the most important section for expansion – for tourism and use by citizens,” McGuire said.
In a different direction from the trailhead, a pedestrian pathway across Robertson Bridge would lead trail users to the south side of the river. From that point, the trail would cross Memorial Drive, travel along Park Avenue and into Ballou Park, where neighborhoods along West Main Street could park and access the trail.
Any expansion, however, will not be without challenges.
For one, extending the trail on the north side of the river from its existing point to Robertson Bridge will require overcoming several obstacles. Easements must be obtained. At points along the path, little space is available between the river bank and existing roads, buildings and fences.
“Fencing would need to be shifted in places,” McGuire said. “And in other tight areas, do you cut down on the width of the trail or do you build a boardwalk, which would be expensive to build and maintain?”
Another challenge apparently will come from property owners adjoining Ballou Park. Many of the citizens who attended an information meeting held Thursday night voiced their concerns about the use of the existing road bed in the park. The use of the road bed would reduce the city’s cost in building a paved path, but property owners are concerned the route would be too close to their backyards – presenting privacy and safety issues.
Those property owners, as well as others adjoining the routes proposed for the trail expansion, were notified of the citizen information meeting. Their concerns will be summarized and considered before final recommendations are made and presentations prepared for city council.
The designs prepared by McGuire and his staff also include optional trail spurs that would connect to the north campus of Averett University, Langston Focus School, Sacred Heart School and George Washington High School.
Jason Williams, assistant project manager, said connecting trails to schools has great value. Funding availability reflects that, he said. “For some of the proposed sections, it would be difficult to obtain funding at this time. But there is funding for schools.”
The city currently has money available to spend toward the trail in Ballou Park. For other sections, the city would seek transportation enhancement grants from the Federal Highway Administration, as well as funding from the Virginia Recreational Trails Program.
McGuire said cost estimates will be prepared for the various sections.
The master plan for the Riverwalk Trail as adopted nearly 10 years ago envisioned 14 miles of trails along Danville’s waterways for walkers, bikers, roller-bladders, and parents with strollers carrying their children.
Seven miles of the trail have been developed.
“The consultants have been looking at where we came from, how the trail is used, and where we need to go,” said Bill Sgrinia, director of parks, recreation and tourism. “When we seek public funding, we need to show that we have a plan in place, a process, and that we are not just winging it.”
