By KELLY HANNON
A new cycling and walking group is off to a brisk start with a $100,000 donation.
Spotsylvania County residents Beth and Jay Jarrell gave the money to the growing Rappahannock, Fredericksburg & Potomac chapter of BikeWalk Virginia.
The 25-member group organizes outings on local trails. It also advocates for trail development and expansion.
The group, formed last year, will use $25,000 of the donation to create an endowment. The rest will go toward trail development and event promotion, said David Jones, chapter president and King George resident.
The money could help develop the Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail in King George and assist work being done in the city by Fredericksburg Pathways Partners. The partners support a system of bicycle and pedestrian trails that connect Fredericksburg historic and natural sites including the Rappahannock
Jay Jarrell was inspired to make the donation after completing a 400-mile bike trip from Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C., with his son's Boy Scout troop. "When I got back home, I realized we have very few places here you can bike or walk off road and be safe," said Jarrell, a local developer with JCH Properties Inc.
He said he liked the chapter's regional approach, and believes it will be able to take advantage of grant opportunities.
There are five chapters of BikeWalk Virginia. The nonprofit organization advocates for trails at the state and national level.
For more information, call Jones at 540/775-9364 or go online to bikewalkvirginia.org.
To reach KELLY HANNON:
Email: khannon@freelancestar.com