Creating a community-led vision to further enhance outdoor recreation, connectivity, and sustainability in Patrick and Henry Counties and the City of Martinsville.
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Complete the survey to help guide the Foothills of the Blue Ridge Outdoor Recreation Plan.
Take The SurveyPlan Purpose
The Foothills of the Blue Ridge Outdoor Recreation Plan is a community-driven initiative designed to create a 15-year roadmap for enhancing outdoor recreation, connectivity, and sustainability across the region. Covering Patrick County, Henry County, and the City of Martinsville, this plan aims to extend regional recreation opportunities while promoting responsible growth.
Led by Friends of Southwest Virginia and funded by grants from the Appalachian Regional Commission and the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission, the plan seeks to strengthen ecotourism and outdoor activities. The goal is to foster partnerships and strategically expand recreational assets and regional connectivity.
The plan envisions increasing the economic impact of outdoor recreation, improving quality of life for residents, and elevating current assets to ensure long-term sustainability and economic growth.
Led by Friends of Southwest Virginia and funded by grants from the Appalachian Regional Commission and the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission, the plan seeks to strengthen ecotourism and outdoor activities. The goal is to foster partnerships and strategically expand recreational assets and regional connectivity.
The plan envisions increasing the economic impact of outdoor recreation, improving quality of life for residents, and elevating current assets to ensure long-term sustainability and economic growth.
"Wherever you are in the region, you're close to outdoor recreation at its finest."
~ James Houchins, Director of Tourism, Patrick County
Plan Goals
Assets
Inventory and assess the existing outdoor recreation assets in the study area, evaluating their current condition and capacity to offer a high-quality outdoor experience for all users.
Partners
Collaborate with government entities, community leaders, and the public to identify ongoing and planned projects aimed at enhancing the quality of life for both residents and visitors.
Gaps
Identify new, compelling tourism infrastructure projects to promote the outdoor economy, enhance the quality of life, and drive private investment.
Unity
Identify projects that also help achieve broader community goals, such as young adult and workforce retention, small business growth, environmental quality, and active living.
Visual
Develop a 15-year action plan that captures community interest and inspires a shared vision by incorporating compelling renderings, site master plans, 3D illustrations, and other visual elements to clearly convey recommendations and ideas.
Strategy
Provide the steering committee and their partners with clear strategies and a prioritization schedule for implementing the plan recommendations.
Plan Process
1. Research and Preliminary Analysis
The consultant team will hold a direction-setting meeting with a steering committee to discuss key opportunities and challenges, compile a comprehensive database of existing outdoor recreation assets, and assess current resources and infrastructure.
2. Stakeholder and Public Engagement
Interviews and focus groups with community leaders, partner organizations, and government officials will provide insights into the region and its assets. A promotional video leveraged by social media will encourage public participation in an online survey. A dedicated project website will serve as an information hub throughout the planning process.
3. Plan Development
Guided by the steering committee, stakeholders, and community input, the consultant team will develop a framework outlining preliminary recommendations for enhancing and expanding outdoor recreation assets. Following this, the team will initiate a second round of public engagement to gather further feedback.
4. Final Plan
The final 15-year action plan will encompass all recommendations, a phasing schedule, and an outline of potential grant funding sources. The plan will be made publicly accessible on the project website.
Project Contact:
Consultant:
