Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, May 14, 1990                   TAG: 9005140180
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A8   EDITION: METTO  
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

RAILS TO TRAILS

To those who think of public parks in their traditional sense, that may seem an unusual shape.

But this one, which is partially open now, follows an abandoned railroad line - the North Carolina Branch between Galax and Pulaski - on land donated by Norfolk Southern. It's part of a growing rails-to-trails movement.

The national Rails to Trails Conservancy was inspired in part by the development of a bike trail on an old rail line between Alexandria and Leesburg. Since then, the conservancy has led the way across the country in transforming unused urban and rural rail lines into parks.

It's an idea of brilliant simplicity: Take a piece of land rendered useless or unprofitable by economic changes, and turn it into something attractive and enjoyable.

Routes once traveled by steam engines and coal trains are now followed by walkers, bicyclists and horses. There are already 245 such trail parks across the country. Three hundred more are in the works.

In Southwest Virginia, the New River Trail State Park could help promote economic development. By itself, the trail won't attract hordes of visitors. But as one part of an expanding system of parks, including the Mount Rogers Recreation Area, it will certainly promote tourism.

And it's a nice kind of tourism that doesn't destroy the source of its own popularity with unchecked commercialism.

There's really only one drawback to this kind of park. A few people will abuse it. They'll litter the trail with drink cans, plastic bags and graffiti, to the distress of those who own adjoining property and everyone else who uses the park. But dealing with thoughtless clods is, unfortunately, a fact of life everywhere.

The New River Trail Park is environmentally sound. It promotes physical fitness and, with its gentle grade, is accessible to virtually everyone. At the same time, the park highlights the area's most prominent resource - wondrous natural beauty. Perhaps most important, a good trail park is fun.