Free Community Event and Day of Service in Lambert’s Point

NORFOLK, Va. (April 2025) – The Elizabeth River Trail Foundation installs another trailhead shelter, marking the Lambert’s Point trail section, in conjunction with Celebrate Trails Day.

In partnership with Rails to Trails Conservancy, the Elizabeth River Trail Foundation invites Norfolk residents to hit the trail and join an exciting Celebrate Trails Day and Trailhead Shelter Ribbon Cutting on April 26, a free, family-friendly, community event and day of service. New community partners are joining the celebration including Youth Earn and Learn who will be offering samples of their homemade zucchini bread and chicken noodle soup, Nature’s Nanny discussing raptor education, and an exciting mobile bookstore featuring a diverse collection of Black authors.

Taking place on every fourth Saturday each April, Celebrate Trails Day is more than just a day outside. It is a chance to participate in a united day of support for trails across America, including the Elizabeth River Trail. Running 10.5 miles, the trail connects communities and provides safe access to our working waterfront, green spaces, and a safe route for running, walking, and commuting. With hundreds of free events and programs each year, the Elizabeth River Trail offers something for everyone.

The 2025 Celebrate Trails Day event will kick off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9:30 AM, celebrating the installation of the third Elizabeth River Trail trailhead shelter at the intersection of 25th St and Bowden’s Ferry Rd. Thanks to a generous anonymous donor, the shelter will be dedicated to the Lambert’s Point Civic League for their years of support of the trail. Everyone is invited to this special occasion, followed by Celebrate Trails Day at 10 AM, just a short walk from the ribbon-cutting ceremony location. Visitors, vendors, and partner organizations will come together to celebrate the community, the trail, and engage with one of Norfolk’s most historic neighborhoods.

“We’re so excited to be shining a light on the Lambert’s Point neighborhood and celebrating the residents of that community this year,” said Kindra Greene, Executive Director of the Elizabeth River Trail Foundation. “The trailhead shelter is being dedicated to the Lambert’s Point Civic League and their legacy of long-term presidents who have served Lambert’s Point since the 1940’s. The residents of this community have been so gracious to the ERT and really represent the vision of the trail, to offer something for everyone. A trail built by the community, for the community, that serves as a storyteller of this historic working waterfront.”

“As a proud product of the Lambert’s Point community, this moment holds deep meaning for me. The Elizabeth River Trail is more than just a path — it’s a symbol of connection, opportunity, and community pride,” says Councilman Carlos Clanton, a member of Norfolk’s City Council representing Superward 7. “I’m honored to celebrate the installation of the new trailhead in the very neighborhood that helped raise me. This project reflects our shared commitment to health, equity, and honoring the legacy of neighborhoods like Lambert’s Point that have long anchored Norfolk’s progress.”

The Foundation looks forward to celebrating the Lambert’s Point Community and bringing more people to the Lambert’s Point Micro Garden, a beautiful open space along the trail between The Railyard and ODU. This year also marks the event’s first-ever raffle! Every attendee who donates during the event, by cash, credit, or Venmo, will receive a raffle ticket. Donations of $20+ will receive two raffle tickets, $30+ donations will receive 3 raffle tickets, and $50+ donations will receive 4 raffle tickets.

Come out and explore all this event, and the trail, has to offer, including,

Starting at 9:30 AM

• Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 2330 Bowdens Ferry Rd, outside of IPConfigure

Starting at 10 AM

• Keep Norfolk Beautiful Litter Cleanup
• Norfolk Botanical Gardens
• Design A Trail with ODU students
• Sail Nauticus
• Mobile Food Pantry from Youth Earn and Learn
• Literature and Libations Mobile Bookstore
• Carbon Removal Demo from Planetary
• Sound Mapping with 70/30 Design Studio
• Hula Hoops
• Sidewalk Chalk
• Sack Races
• Tree Planting
• Norfolk Master Gardeners
• ** Plants, Trees, and ERT Merch Raffle**

Visitors are encouraged to park at IPConfigure, 2330 Bowdens Ferry Rd, or along Elkhorn Ave. or Bluestone Ave. in the Lambert’s Point neighborhood to help keep residential parking open.

The ERT Foundation works to bring a variety of opportunities to the trail. If you would like to host an event on the trail, partner with the Elizabeth River Trail Foundation, or sponsor an ERT program, please email hello@elizabethrivertrail.org. 

The Elizabeth River Trail Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides the planning, program, and advocacy for the Elizabeth River Trail connecting Naval Station Norfolk to the Virginia Beach Trail. The Elizabeth River Trail connects 10.5 miles through businesses, and historic attractions and is within a 5-minute walk of 28 neighborhoods. The multi-use trail is designed for walking, running, and biking. It comprises 11 sections from Norfolk State University, through Downtown Norfolk and Old Dominion University, to NIT Terminals along the Elizabeth River. The Foundation has completed multiple new, unique, and award-winning amenities, including kayak launches, play sculptures, and a double turbo challenge course in Plum Point Park, The Glowline, and most recently, the installation of the first ERT hydration station. Major sponsors include CHKD, Downtown Norfolk Council, PRA Group, and the City of Norfolk.