Access to nonmotorized trails promotes healthier lifestyles. Trails encourage physical activity such as walking, jogging, cycling, and paddling. Trails enhance mental and emotional well-being by providing peaceful, natural settings for relaxation, reflection, and stress relief. By promoting both physical and mental health, trails contribute to the overall community wellness and reduce healthcare costs.

Trail users learn to protect and restore natural areas, contributing to a sustainable future for both the trails and the surrounding ecosystems.

Nonmotorized trails boost local economies. Trails support existing local businesses, encourage entrepreneurial ventures, and attract tourists. Trails provide opportunities for economic renewal and growth and contribute to increased property values.

Trails create vibrant, connected communities. Trails enrich the quality of life for residents and visitors alike. The overall quality of life for a community is improved when well-maintained and safe trails are nearby, even for those residents who don’t actually use the trail.

Trails offer unique educational opportunities and serve as outdoor classrooms. Trail users learn about local history, ecology, and culture. Through programming, interpretive signage, guided tours, and public outreach, trails promote environmental awareness and responsible outdoor practices.

Nonmotorized trails thrive through partnerships. Partnerships develop and thrive with trails as a focal point. By working together, these partnerships foster community pride and long-term support. Collaborations among trail users, government agencies, trail organizations, local businesses, private property owners, and volunteers ensure the formation, maintenance, and promotion of trails.

Trails are naturally safe spaces, generally free from motorized traffic. Since trails are typically free for use, a properly developed trails network will provide a wide degree of accessibility for all ages and abilities. Trails offer inclusive spaces where everyone can enjoy outdoor activities.

Nonmotorized trails have value by providing connectivity as transportation corridors, and thereby reducing traffic congestion in urban settings. Nonmotorized trails can be a vital part of a multi-modal transportation system, allowing people to avoid congested streets and travel safely and efficiently.

Nonmotorized trails provide opportunities for adventure at many levels. Even a short hike on a gentle trail is an adventure for some people. Facing the challenge of an adventure brings self-confidence and helps people face the other challenges in their lives.

Nonmotorized trails and other outdoor recreation opportunities are critical in maintaining and growing the state’s population. For example, it is proven that many knowledge-based workers, who work from home and can live anywhere, consider trail assets as a primary and desirable factor in deciding where to live.

Nonmotorized trails add to the desirability of our communities. Trails provide numerous benefits that can assist in relieving statewide metrics where WV ranks very low, such as health and the economy. At the same time, trails are the perfect complement to many of our state’s greatest assets, such as the percentage of forested lands and air and water quality.