Path Forward
Connecting People, Places, and Possibilities!
The Elizabeth River Trail stands at a transformational moment, and only YOU can help shape what comes next. As a newly designated National Recreation Trail, the ERT is poised to grow beyond its 10.5 miles to connect more neighborhoods, more people, and more opportunities across Hampton Roads and become the jewel of an 82-mile regional trail network.
Your support of the Path Forward campaign will power this next chapter, expanding the trail, opening the first Trailside Headquarters in Chelsea, launching adaptive cycling programs, and preparing for Sail250, a once-in-a-generation celebration that will bring the world to Norfolk’s waterfront. Together, we can connect more communities, inspire wellness and creativity, and ensure everyone can experience the beauty and energy of the trail.
This is your trail. This is your moment. Join us on the Path Forward and help build the connections that make our community thrive.
New Trailside HQ
Fall 2025 marks a historic milestone for the Elizabeth River Trail Foundation—the opening of our first-ever Trailside Headquarters.
Located in Chelsea, the Trailside HQ (fondly known as the “Welcome to Chelsea Blue Building,” see photo) will open its doors at the corner of Raleigh Avenue and Orapax Street in Norfolk’s vibrant Chelsea neighborhood.
What Your Support Makes Possible
With your special sponsorship, this 1,300 sq. ft. landmark hub will become the beating heart of the Elizabeth River Trail, offering:
- A central, one-stop trail visitor information center with retail space for ERT merchandise.
- Curated experiences designed by trail staff—like “date night” packages.
- Art, education, and wellness programs for all ages.
- Animal ambassadors and environmental learning opportunities.
- Community and volunteer engagement resources.
- Bike rentals serving commuters, recreational riders, and visitors.
- Fun features like a selfie station and water refill station—with more to come.
Sponsorship Opportunities
ERT HQ Naming Sponsor – $25,000Secured – Thank you, MHI!- ERT Headquarters Champion – $10,000 (2 available)
- Bike Fleet Sponsor – $7,500 (2 available)
- Hydration Sponsor – $5,000 (2 available)
- ERT Store Sponsor – $2,500
- Trail Partner Sponsor – $1,000
- Trail Friend Sponsor – $500
Annual Fund
Financial stability is the backbone of any non-profit, and we are not alone in needing financial support for our operations, programs, and projects.
Trail 757 will, for the first time, connect our region to the wellness, environmental, and economic benefits you already know and love on the Elizabeth River Trail. This year, your annual fund support can maximize these extraordinary first-time connections and help shape the future of our region’s trail network.
We invite you—as a valued corporate partner or individual supporter—to consider your most generous annual fund gift yet in 2025–26. Together, we can reach our goal of $200,000 in annual fund contributions to:
- Expand East and North: Extend the trail into new communities, guided by resident and partner input.
- Connect regionally: Link to emerging trail networks in Virginia Beach and Portsmouth, and ultimately become part of the East Coast Greenway.
- Enhance recreation and amenities: Support new programs such as a kayak rental program, alongside art, wellness, and community engagement initiatives.
“Whether I’m biking, walking, or running on the trail, it’s done a lot of good for my soul.” – Jem
Help Build Community
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. By sponsoring an event, you’ll showcase your brand to thousands of community members while supporting one of Norfolk’s most beloved public amenities.
Special Events 2025-26:
Trailside HQ Grand Opening Celebration – $2,500
- December 2, 2025
- Be part of history as we cut the ribbon on the Trail’s first-ever home.
Elizabeth River Trail Sail250 – $10,000
- June 2026
- The Trail is the front row seat for tall ships and celebrations marking America’s 250th anniversary, sponsor the Foundation’s costs as we prepare the trail to look our best and provide programming and materials to maximize this once-in-a-generation opportunity.
Annual Event – Presenting Sponsorships
Celebrate Trails Day – $ 5,000
- 4th Saturday in April
- National Day of Trail Celebration brings families, walkers, runners, and cyclists together.
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, and fun.
Sustain Engagement
With more than 670,000 trail interactions each year and growing, the Elizabeth River Trail is one of the most engaging platforms for community connection in South Hampton Roads. By aligning your brand with one of our ongoing series, you’ll reach a diverse audience in the areas of nature, wellness, art, recreation, environmental stewardship, and history.
Series Program Sponsorships
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.
TrailWell – $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 – $5,000
- 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.
Please consider BOTH annual fund support and a special sponsorship to achieve the most in this transformational year of 2025-26. Community support and partnerships are the backbone of the Elizabeth River Trail.
Fall 2025 marks a historic milestone for the Elizabeth River Trail Foundation—the opening of our first-ever Trailside Headquarters! With your special sponsorship, this 1,300 sq. ft. landmark hub will become the beating heart of the Elizabeth River Trail.
The Elizabeth River Trail isn’t just a walking path—it’s a bold public-private partnership that reimagines what urban green space can do. Your donations power every foot of progress: trail enhancements, community programs, signage, public art, and events that bring people together.
We receive no guaranteed ongoing city funding. That means 100% of our operating support comes from people and businesses like you.
Thanks to this grassroots model, we’ve earned top transparency marks from Charity Navigator, Candid, and United Way South Hampton Roads.
Your support keeps the trail clean, safe, inspiring, and accessible—for everyone.
- 100% community-funded maintenance and operations
- Nationally recognized for transparency and impact
- Every dollar helps activate the trail year-round
Make a one-time gift today to support the Elizabeth River Trail, or contribute in honor or in memory of a loved one.
Let’s Build the Trail Together
Why Partner with ERT?
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Local visibility
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Community impact
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Unique branding opps
Sponsorship Opportunities:
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Series Sponsorship
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Event/Program Sponsorship
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Amenities + Capital Projects
