Join the Elizabeth River Trail Foundation, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and trail lovers nationwide for National Celebrate Trails Day 2022 on April 23. The Elizabeth River Trail Foundation is hosting a day full of exciting events to celebrate the start of trail season—and officially open a new trailhead at Harbor Park’s Water Street Open Space.

There’s a whole roster of fun, free and safe activities on and along the 10.5-mile ERT. Start your day on the east end of the trail at the Water Street Open Space for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony with City of Norfolk and friends of the ERT at 10 am.

“The new Water Street Open Space sits alongside the Elizabeth River Trail and enhances the connection between downtown Norfolk and Harbor Park,” said Kyle Spencer with Norfolk’s Office of Resilience. “Encompassed in the site design are native plantings, storm water elements to include bioretention meadows, bioretention soils, and vegetated meadow areas, along with a repurposed slab from a demolished storage building into a plaza/gathering area. As a result, this blighted site alongside of the downtown waterfront corridor is activated and greatly improved through green space, environmental capping and accessibility.”

Grab a map and schedule of events for what promises to be a fun-filled and family-friendly day on the ERT! Don’t forget to invite your friends and spread the word using #CelebrateTrails and #RecreateResponsibly.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS – WATER STREET OPEN SPACE @ HARBOR PARK
10 am: Event kickoff and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Harbor Park Trailhead at the Water Street Open Space with special guest speakers from the City of Norfolk and the Elizabeth River Trail Foundation
10 am -1 pm: Demonstrations by ERT community partners – Sentara, REI, Direct Performance, Lime, Tidewater Wooden Boat Workshop, Norfolk Tides & more
10 am: 1-Mile Fun Run with Norfolk Run Club
11 am: Donation-based yoga with Danielle Stern of Bhav Brigade
11 am: Bounce Workout with the November Project
Noon: Poetry Hour with Teens with a Purpose, Nathan Richardson as Frederick Douglass and the Hampton Roads Youth Poets

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE ALONG THE ERT
10 am: Botanical Bike Tour from the Hermitage Museum and Gardens with Norfolk Master Gardener, Jim Affeldt (RSVP required)
10:30 am: #LiveLifeFresh Boombox Bike Ride from Freshtopia on 35th Street
10:30-3 pm: Chrysler Museum of Art Family Day: Earth Day Every Day!
12:30 pm: Walking history tour of Plum Point / Fort Norfolk with Norfolk Tour Company
1-3 pm: West Ghent Civic League Adopt-a-Spot Cleanup
3 pm: Hydrobikes on the Hague
6:35 pm: Tides vs. Durham home game at Harbor Park – with fireworks!

“Celebrate Trails Day encourages people across the country to get outside and use the exceptional trails in their area,” said Kindra Greene, executive director of the Elizabeth River Trail Foundation. “We are proud to be activating the trail again this year and celebrating a ribbon cutting for the Water Street Open Space, which is a true example of what can happen when organizations collaborate. This redefined space has a positive environmental impact and is now the widest section of the ERT with room for food trucks and a farmer’s market. We’re excited about the possibilities of this space.”

On Celebrate Trails Day, participants can also enjoy great free or discounted admission at the Hermitage Museum & Gardens, Nauticus, Chrysler Museum and Hunter House. Wrap up the day on the ERT with a yummy meal and live music at one of our great trailside restaurants and breweries.

The Elizabeth River Trail Foundation’s mission is to promote, enhance and transform the Elizabeth River Trail into the most iconic urban riverfront trail in the country. The ERT runs 10.5 miles and connects businesses, historic attractions and 28 neighborhoods within a five-minute walk. The multi-use trail is designed for walking, running and biking. It comprises 11 sections and 11 trailheads from Norfolk State University to NIT Terminals along the Elizabeth River. Highlights include Harbor Park, Downtown Norfolk, Freemason Historic District, Sentara campus, Fort Norfolk, Chelsea, West Ghent, Lambert’s Point, Old Dominion University, Larchmont and Lochhaven. Major sponsors include Sentara and the City of Norfolk. For more information, visit www.elizabethrivertrail.org.