Not Just a Downtown Trail, ERT Hosts DNC Members for a Tour of More

A big thank you to Downtown Norfolk Council for holding their monthly morning member meetup at the ERT HQ. We were so excited to welcome our downtown friends to the Chelsea HQ for a tour of the space, a presentation on our work and a glimpse into the projects for the year ahead. Most importantly, we emphasized that while many people know the ERT to be “that downtown trail” we shared the “so much more” that the Trail has to offer. We shared our new HQ, introduced the animal ambassadors, and started the morning with a trail walk, opting to head north towards the tree lined section of Pines, stopping to point out the Fairy Doors that have popped up along the trail since the ERT has found its trailside home. 

Many visitors were surprised to learn the trail continues on past Old Dominion University through Larchmont, and down to Lochaven. We love sharing how the Foundation began, as it was really driven by the business community. It was businesses that rallied around investing in the ERT to enhance and activate it as a not just a destination and recreation space, but an active part of the community’s transportation system, a way to attract and retain talent and importantly attract businesses and a workforce. According to a 2025 Realtor.com study “new data showed that nearly 80% of homebuyers prioritize walkability—and many are willing to pay a premium for it. People want connection, convenience, and community—not just more lanes and parking lots.The places that thrive in the next few decades will be the ones built at a human scale… where you can get coffee, walk the kids to school, hit the park, and bump into neighbors without a car.” We know the ERT does just that.

We loved sharing with our DNC business friends that it’s the business community that truly makes this trail what it is!