News

Napa Valley Vine Trail to Span 44 Miles

Community-supported biking and walking trail system to potentially replace the need for 150,000 automobile trips per year\.

August 4, 2010

St. Helena, Calif. (August 4, 2010) — Established as a California nonprofit corporation in September 2008, the Napa Valley Vine Trail Coalition is building a community-supported biking and walking trail system, spanning 44 miles between Vallejo and Calistoga.

When complete, the trail will offer transportation, recreation, education and healthy lifestyle benefits to Napa Valley residents and the 4.7 million tourists who visit the Valley each year while potentially replacing the need for 150,000 automobile trips in the process.

“The outpouring of support for the Vine Trail has been phenomenal across the entire Napa Valley. We have assembled 21 economic, environmental and agricultural interest groups, all five city councils [American Canyon, Napa, Yountville, St. Helena, Calistoga] and the county board of supervisors behind our effort to make this trail system a reality,” says Chuck McMinn, the Vine Trail’s executive director.

“We are thrilled to have hired Shannon Kuleto to become the Operations Director for the Vine Trail. Her extensive background in Napa Valley with Vintners, non-profits and marketing events is a perfect fit as we expand our fund raising and marketing efforts in support of Napa Valley’s signature trail system.”

The Vine Trail Route

The Vine Trail route starts at the Vallejo Ferry terminal, and its connection to San Francisco and the greater Bay Area. It runs north along the Bay and Highway 29 through American Canyon and Kennedy Park into the City of Napa.

From there it runs northwest across the City along the Wine Train right of way to Trancas Street, crossing over Highway 29 on a dedicated pedestrian bridge.

The Vine Trail continues north from there along Highway 29, passing through the towns of Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga and ending at the intersection of Highway 29 and

the Silverado Trail, at the foot of Mount St. Helena.

Here, and at several points along the way, the Vine Trail will intersect with and share routes with the Bay Area Ridge Trail and San Francisco Bay Trail.

The Vine Trail Timeline

Sections Completed & In Use (7.5 miles):

· Calistoga from Washington to Dunaweal Lane

· South Napa City trail through Kennedy Park

· Central Napa City trail from Trancas to Central Avenue

April 2010: Yountville portion of Vine Trail ground breaking

September 2010: Yountville portion of Vine Trail completion is expected

Fall 2010: Goal is to have engineering complete on the St. Helena portion of the Vine Trail

Mid 2011: Goal is to have engineering complete and construction ready on a portion of the City of Napa Vine Trail and County of Napa Trail north of Trancas Street.

2012/2013: Goal is to have the rest of the Vine Trail engineering plans complete and construction ready to submit for Federal and State Government funding

Vine Trail Funding Goal: Goal is to raise $20 million in local matching fund donations from 2010-2013 to complement public money

The Vine Trail Donations and Memberships

The Vine Trail is being built through the generous support of many people and organizations including federal, state and local governments, clean transportation advocates, area businesses and private foundations and individual donors.

While the Vine Trail has made great strides since its establishment as a California nonprofit corporation in September of 2008, there is still a need for local, feet-on-the-ground support now more than ever. There are opportunities for every level of support, from making a monetary donation, to volunteering at Vine Trail events, to increased awareness through media coverage.

Vine Trail membership provides critical funding for planning and expediting trail construction and creates a constituency of knowledgeable advocates to spread the word.

The Vine Trail has created various one-time and annual membership levels for interested supporters—ranging from Seed ($10-$24) to Vine ($1000) levels, to create a way for anyone who is interested to join in support for the Vine Trail.

Additionally, the Vine Trail recognizes the contribution of its supporters and offers special discounts at local restaurants and stores and on custom Vine Trail merchandise. For more information or to support the Vine Trail please visit www.vinetrail.org.

The Vine Trail Coalition

The Napa Valley Vine Trail Coalition includes a member board representing a broad spectrum of community and civic organizations, and a 5,000 citizen mailing list of supporters and enthusiasts. Participating organizations include public agencies and land, economic and environmental interest groups.

ABOUT THE VINE TRAIL

The Napa Valley Vine Trail is a community supported, biking and walking trail system, spanning 44 miles between Vallejo and Calistoga. The trail will offer transportation, recreation, education and healthy lifestyle benefits to Napa Valley residents and the 4.7 million tourists who visit the Valley each year while potentially replacing the need for 150,000 automobile trips in the process.

As it provides these benefits, the Vine Trail is expected to generate $75 million per year in ongoing economic impact as well as providing jobs for 60 people per mile built during construction.

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