Here’s the most recent e-newsletter from Virginia Capital Trail Foundation Executive Director Beth Weisbrod. I’ll be writing about the Richmond trailhead she mentions in the coming weeks.

Credit: VDOT

December is coming to an end, so I’m doing my usual backward glance at the year that was.  I’m very proud to say 2012 was our most successful year ever at the VCTF, and you had a lot to do with this.  Besides achieving fundraising goals through your generous contributions, we won approval to build an eye-popping trailhead facility in downtown Richmond, we were able to rally grassroots support and overcome challenges to a separate alignment of the trail, and our record-setting Cap2Cap bike event was listed in Richmond.com Outdoors:  Best of 2012. So, to those who emailed V-DOT or your local officials in support of the trail, or who have made a donation, or volunteered your time or professional services, ridden in the Cap2Cap, or shared something on our Facebook page–you all are a part of our great year.

As we all know, construction of this 52-mile, 10 ft. wide ribbon of asphalt is taking longer than anyone anticipated when this project began back in 2005.  We’ve learned a lot about patience, persistence and staying positive when frustrations mount.  As community support continues to grow, it sends a clear message that this project is an important one.

So, now we’re in the home stretch.  V-DOT says we have two more years before we’ll have our Trail.  We’re going to get there.  In the meantime, thank you to everyone who contributed to the Foundation’s success this year:  sponsors, donors, vendors, supporters, volunteers, board members, staff, and partners.  Hundreds of you made it happen, and it’s why I love my job.  Trail supporters are an energetic and dedicated group, and you prove it year after year.