The chesapeake gateways tourism and economic development grants identify, conserve, restore, and interpret natural, recreational, historical, and cultural resources within the chesapeake BAY watershed…

The County of Lancaster, Virginia received a $100,000 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service under the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network program (CFDA 15.930) on September 22, 2025. The grant funds the completion of planning and engineering tasks for the Triway Trail Phase II project, a nearly 10-mile biking and walking trail initiative linking three coastal communities in Lancaster County. Deliverables include surveying, environmental and cultural resource studies, and easement recordings that are essential precursors to full trail construction and public access.

Upon completion by September 30, 2026, the Triway Trail will serve as a public-private partnership asset that showcases Chesapeake Bay heritage through local art, museum linkages, and access to small towns within the Northern Neck National Heritage Area. The project is designed to stimulate outdoor recreation, heritage tourism, and economic development in the region by connecting communities and providing enhanced public education of and access to Chesapeake Bay resources, consistent with the objectives of the Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act.

The chesapeake gateways tourism and economic development grants identify, conserve, restore, and interpret natural, recreational, historical, and cultural resources within the chesapeake BAY watershed and identify and utilize the collective resources as chesapeake BAY gateways sites for enhancing public education of and access to the chesapeake BAY consistent with the chesapeake BAY initiative act of 1998 (PUB. L. 105-312, title v, SEC.502(a)). The triway trail phase II project will advance the development of nearly a 10-mile biking and walking trail linking three chesapeake BAY coastal communities in lancaster county, virginia. Supported by a chesapeake gateways grant, the project will complete planning and engineering tasksincluding surveying, environmental and cultural studies, and easement recordingsthat are crucial for expanding this public-private initiative. Once finished, the trail will showcase BAY heritage through local art, museum links, and access to small towns, encouraging outdoor recreation, tourism, and economic growth in the northern neck national heritage area.