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The Path Forward
starts with you
Only YOU can help connect the iconic Elizabeth River Trail to more neighborhoods, the larger region and the nation – with milestone opportunities just ahead.

BE PART OF the TRANSFORMATION!

Help Create
A Path Forward

As a newly designated National Recreation Trail, the Elizabeth River Trail is poised to link with the South Hampton Roads Trail and become part of the East Coast Greenway, the 3,000-mile corridor stretching from Maine to Florida.



A Proven Success

The Elizabeth River Trail has become perhaps the most popular multi-use trail in South Hampton Roads, welcoming more than 700,000 visitors annually. Thanks to generous donors like you, the nonprofit Elizabeth River Trail Foundation has built a success story, delivering:

  • The most amenities per mile of any trail in the region.
  • Signature experiences like The Glowline, the East Coast’s first luminous trail; Poetry on the Trail, a rotating curated series; and the soon-to-be-installed world-class sculpture Prince of Fire by Lila Katzen.
  • A dynamic backbone for the Norfolk Innovation Corridor, fueling nearly $19 million in economic benefits (Mangum Economics, 2024).

Thanks to supporters like you and our lead partner the City of Norfolk, in June 2025, the Elizabeth River Trail the National Park Service’s coveted designation as a National Recreation Trail—the only trail in South Hampton Roads with this honor.

Read the full Path Forward PDF
Make your pledge TODAY!
Event
Support

Events are the heartbeat of the Elizabeth River Trail. They grow our audience of trail users, create lasting memories, and keep the beat strong for a vibrant, well-loved urban trail. Annual fund leading donors are invited to choose an event or program series for sponsor recognition.

Read the full path forward PDF
Make your pledge TODAY!

MLK Day of Service

$2,000

Annually in January on MLK DAY
Our biggest volunteer cleanup; 200+ volunteers make the trail beautiful in the vicnity of Harbor Park.

Bike to Work Day

$1,000

Annually in May
Sponsoring our trail “pit stop” for Bike to Work Day with refreshments and biker perks at our new Trailside HQ.

Field Day

$3,000

Annually in August (Date TBD)
Our very own “ERT Olympics,” with expanded competitions every four years to coincide with the Summer Olympics.

Halloween Puppy Parade

$1,000

Saturday before Halloween
A community favorite with costumes, creativity, and canine charm.

Annual Glow Party

$10,000

First Saturday in November
Celebrate the Trail’s luminous “Glowline” with a night of music, light & fun.  The only luminous trail in the region; one of our most popular events.

Volunteer Appreciation Celebration

$2,500

Annually in December
Help us recognize our invaluable volunteers. Award ceremony, refreshments, tokens of appreciation.

INternational Coastal Cleanup

$2,000

September 19, 2026
Sponsor 100+ volunteers participating in this worldwide event to count and track litter picked up along the ERT.

Series
Support

With more than 700,000 trail interactions each year and growing, the Elizabeth River Trail is one of the most engaging platforms for community connection in South Hampton Roads. Annual fund top supporters can align with one of our ongoing series. You’ll be part of reaching a diverse audience in the areas of nature, wellness, art, recreation, environmental stewardship, and history.

Read the full path forward PDF
Make your pledge TODAY!

Spinclusion RideABILITY

$10,000

Adaptive cycling programs for riders of all abilities. March through November, rides are offered free to the public, groups, and targeted outreach to vulnerable and often isolated populations to help them access the outdoors and experience the joy of riding on the trail.

TrainWell

$7,500

Fitness and wellness experiences utilizing the Elizabeth River Trail as an accessible platform for mental health promotion and holistic wellness activities focused on outdoor recreation, mindfulness and healthy food choices.

Nature for ALL

$5,000

Making outdoor exploration accessible, inclusive and educational. Programming includes monthly botanical walking and bike tours, hands-on stewardship, environmental tours with local specialists, tree planting, invasive species removal and native plantings as well as volunteer opportunities.

Tour De ORF Series Sponsor

$5,000 (Secured)

A full year featuring your logo on the Tour de ORF graphic, mentioned in social media posts, and listed in our annual impact report! Tour de ORF group rides occur on the first Sunday of each month and host 25-50 riders.

Poetry on the trail

$2,500

A curated, rotating series bringing words and art into the trail experience. A yearly celebration of Virginia poets with featured works on the trail to encourage a connection to nature and place.

Tour de ORF Sponsor of the Month

$1,000

NEW! Pick your month to sponsor one of the first Sunday bike tours. Invite your family & friends to be part of the ride.

Help Move the Trail Forward

Your leadership support strengthens the Elizabeth River Trail today and for generations to come. Complete the form below to make your gift.

Read the full path forward PDF
Make your pledge TODAY!