BY JIMMY SHOCKLEY, Eastern Shore Post —
With phase one of the Eastern Shore Rail Trail headed towards completion, Rail Trail Foundation Executive Director Ron Wolff said the project is now down to “finishing touches.”
One of the last items to be built was a kiosk to display maps and town information at the trailhead — and Wolff knew just who to call.
Billy Davis, who teaches shop and carpentry at Northampton High School, and his Carpentry II class were tasked with building the trailhead kiosk.
“We like doing stuff for the community,” Davis said.
Six Northampton County High School students — Brandon Ramirez, Ethan Hall, Andrew Daggins, Kevin Roberto, Gaige Kellogg, and John Ramos — helped build the kiosk, an effort for which they received community service hours.
Wolff sent a blueprint he received from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation to Davis for the kiosk.
The project took about three weeks for Davis’ class to complete and get to the site.
In the future, Wolff said a plaque will be installed on the kiosk to credit its builders.
The kiosk and trailhead represent the beginning of the trail, which will be completed in phases.
Phase one of the trail measures roughly four miles long, but eventually the kiosk will help to mark the beginning of the full project — a 49.1 mile-long trail.
Wolff said the kiosk represents great community involvement and relations, which the construction of the trail has seen much of so far.
“It’s been a lot more than what we could’ve imagined,” he said of the help and support.
Wolff said the town of Cape Charles has been a large supporter of the trail, especially crediting town manager Rick Keuroglian’s work and support.
He said as the trail moves forward into future phases, he is hoping Northampton High School’s and the town of Cape Charles’ involvement in the trail are signs of what is to come for other communities along future sections of the trail.
The Rail Trail Foundation is aiming for a ribbon cutting in mid-June for the Cape Charles to Cheriton portion of the trail, although nothing is official yet.
It is likely that the trail will be serving the Shore and attracting visitors within a month.
“Hopefully,” Wolff added.
