AN IMPASSIONED EFFORT IS UNDERWAY TO RE-ENERGIZE AND ENHANCE THE ELIZABETH RIVER TRAIL.
Since its incorporation as a 501(c)(3) in 2016, the ERT Foundation has been focused on transforming the existing 10.5-mile Trail into a resilient, inclusive, connected urban riverfront trail that connects people and businesses. The ERT is growing to become a recreational, social, and educational destination that improves environmental awareness, neighborhood connectivity, and provides a place for innovative economic development in the region.
We start by building love and support for the ERT, and we do this by improving the Trail itself, and by adding amenities like signage and wayfinding, solar lighting, playgrounds, kayak launches, public art, and more…
The ERT is growing! And we are planning to connect to our neighbors in Virginia Beach, to the Virginia Capital Trail, the Birthplace of America Trail (BoAT), and to the East Coast Greenway by way of tributary trails across the region that lead to the ERT.
The ERT is the placemaking spine of the city, incorporating the Norfolk Innovation Corridor (NIC), a thriving Technology Zone that supports resilience products, services, and technologies. Many of Norfolk’s businesses, both small and large reap the benefits of being trailside with increased bike and pedestrian traffic, trails are good for business. The ERT Foundation invites businesses and developers to contact us and discuss how we can work together.
The ERT aims to follow in the footsteps of other great trails in attracting and retaining talent, improving the quality of life for residents, and making positive impacts on the health of people and the environment. All the while, we will honor this rail-trail’s historical significance and continue working to bring waterfront access to everyone!
