Commending the Virginia Capital Trail.

Commending the Virginia Capital Trail.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 16, 2026
Agreed to by the Senate, February 19, 2026
WHEREAS, 2025 marked the 10th anniversary of the Virginia Capital Trail, a 51.7-mile, multi-use, fully-paved trail that spans the historic Route 5 corridor between Richmond and Williamsburg; and
WHEREAS, following Route 5's designation as a Virginia Scenic Byway in 1975, a feasibility study in the 1990s, years of fundraising, and the establishment of the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation in 2004, the first portion of the Virginia Capital Trail, located along Greensprings Road in Williamsburg, was completed in 2006; and
WHEREAS, the trail continued to progress in stages until October 2015, when Governor Terry McAuliffe cut the ribbon at the opening of the Virginia Capital Trail at the Virginia Holocaust Museum in Richmond, signifying the official opening of the completed trail; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Capital Trail runs through the City of Richmond, Henrico County, Charles City County, and James City County, with a western terminus in downtown Richmond and an eastern terminus near the Jamestown Settlement in Williamsburg; and
WHEREAS, designed for the exclusive use of pedestrians and cyclists, the Virginia Capital Trail encourages individuals to be active while discovering and appreciating the natural beauty and history of the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, today, more than a million walkers, joggers, and cyclists make use of the Virginia Capital Trail each year, while several businesses have been established along the trail to serve this growing community; and
WHEREAS, the successful realization of the Virginia Capital Trail is a testament to the efforts of the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation, which promoted and secured funding to enhance the trail, and the Virginia Department of Transportation, which built and maintains the trail; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Capital Trail connects to the TransAmerica Trail and the East Coast Greenway, bringing cyclists from around the country to the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, it is estimated that the Virginia Capital Trail has generated millions of dollars of economic activity in the Commonwealth, particularly within the 50-mile radius of the trail; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Capital Trail offers any number of outdoor adventures, promoting health and wellness and improving the quality of life for many; and
WHEREAS, the achievements of the Virginia Capital Trail have been recognized through a number of accolades, including awards from the Urban Land Institute of Virginia and the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University; and
WHEREAS, in October 2025, anniversary celebrations were held at both ends of the trail in Richmond and Williamsburg, giving both communities the opportunity to reflect upon the ways in which the Virginia Capital Trail has transformed the region; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Virginia Capital Trail on the occasion of its 10th anniversary; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the Virginia Capital Trail's contributions to the Commonwealth.