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

DATE: FRIDAY, September 23, 1994                   TAG: 9409230121
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: By ROBERT FREIS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

HUCKLEBERRY TRAIL HAS NEW LOGO

Here's a sure sign the Huckleberry Trail is rolling along - now the project has its own trademark.

This week the People Advocating the Huckleberry Trail - or PATH Committee for short - voted to adopt a new logo, which will appear on trail signs once the six-mile bikeway and footpath between Blacksburg and Christiansburg is built.

Heavy on history, the symbol shows a smoky locomotive, representing the abandoned rail line where the trail will mostly be located, and a half-wreath of huckleberries and leaves.

The slow-moving train that once ran between Blacksburg and Christiansburg became known as the Huckleberry because, according to local legend, passengers could hop off the train to pick berries and reboard without risking life or limbs.

Blacksburg artist and illustrator Leslie Roberts Gregg drew the logo and donated the work and her time to the trail project.

"I think the trail will be an important addition to the community," said Gregg, adding that she and her family are looking forward to using the path, which is scheduled to be completed next year.

Through research, Gregg ensured the huckleberries and their leaves are botanically correct. The engine took two versions and an adjustment to some of its wheels in order to be perfect.

The PATH Committee's goal was to have a trademark that could both appear on signs and on letterhead for trail business. They wanted it to be simple and symbolic.

Now that the basic design is set, the committee wants Gregg to colorize the logo, with purple berries, green leaves and another background hue. She says she'll be glad to do so.

When completed, the Huckleberry Trail will connect the Blacksburg Library - site of an old railroad station - with the New River Valley Mall. Eventually, the PATH Committee hopes to extend the trail to downtown Christiansburg.

The Virginia Department of Transportation awarded a $453,242 grant to the trail last year. It was one of 37 state alternative transportation projects to receive funding, as was Radford's Ingles Ferry restoration project.

by CNB