The Virginia Outdoors Foundation has awarded $404,625

The Virginia Outdoors Foundation (VOF) has awarded the City of Norfolk’s grant proposal to implement Larchmont Library trailhead improvements on the Elizabeth River Trail for $404,625.

The grant, the largest in ERT’s history, was one of 22 awarded from VOF’s Preservation Trust Fund and Get Outdoors Fund programs. The Preservation Trust Fund program provides grants for acquisitions, easements, rights of way, and other methods of protecting open space for farming, forestry, recreation, wildlife, water quality, and more. The Get Outdoors Fund provides grants for projects that increase safe access to open space in communities. To learn more, visit https://www.vof.org/protect/grants/.

With this effort, approximately 3.9 acres of land around the Larchmont Library on Hampton Blvd. will be dedicated to open space. The trailhead improvements include enhanced accessibility and connections to the trail, improved signage, a trailhead kiosk, an outdoor recreational space for library patrons and trail users, and a kayak launch for a new access point along the Lafayette River.

Virginia Outdoors Foundation Executive Director Brett Glyph said, “We are excited to support these improvements to the Elizabeth River Trail, which will make the trail more accessible to more people and strengthen the community’s connection to the outdoors.”

“We are so grateful to the City of Norfolk’s Parks and Recreation department for submitting this grant application on our behalf,” said Kindra Greene, executive director of the Elizabeth River Trail Foundation. “It shows our city partners and the VOF truly see the value of the Elizabeth River Trail.  This funding will allow us to complete the Larchmont Library trailhead as we fully envisioned it, making it a truly accessible space for all, where land and water intersect.”

The Elizabeth River Trail Foundation’s mission is to create an inclusive and resilient urban riverfront trail that connects and inspires people and businesses in the Hampton Roads region. The Elizabeth River Trail runs 10.5 miles through 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 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 sculpture and double turbo challenge course in Plum Point Park and most recently, The Glowline. Major sponsors include Sentara and the City of Norfolk.