Dedication Ceremony Scheduled for William E. Carson Trail
On Thursday, July 28th at 5:30 pm Warren County will hold a dedication ceremony for the William E. Carson Trail located at the Front Royal Golf Club. The ceremony will take place at the start of the trail, adjacent to the boat landing.
The property on which the Front Royal Golf Club is located was given to the people of Front Royal and Warren County by Agnes H. and William E. Carson with the intentions of developing the land into a park. The park was the inspiration of Mr. Carson, who was the first director of the Virginia Conservation and Development Commission, one of the key figures behind the Shenandoah National Park, and was instrumental in founding the state parks throughout Virginia. In the last years of the Depression, Carson saw a need for recreational facilities for the young people of Front Royal and Warren County, and sought help through federal work programs. Carson, who was also the owner of the Riverton Lime and Stone Company, Inc.’s quarry adjoining the park to the south, was able to arrange for the Civilian Conservation Corps to build Front Royal Recreational Park. On June 22, 1938, William E. and Agnes H Carson transferred ownership of 63 acres of land, upon which construction of the park was well underway, to the Front Royal Recreational Center Corporation. The facility opened to the public on August 6, 1938.
The Carson Trail is being constructed in four phases.
Phase One:
- Includes improvements to Country Club Road and addition of pedestrian lane running parallel to the road
- Funded through VDOT’s Recreational Access Program
- Length: 0.61 miles
Phase Two: (phase being dedicated on July 28, 2011)
- Runs from the Front Royal Golf Club to the Rockland Park property line (former Fishnet Property)
- Funded through a combination of grant funding from the Department of Forestry and in-kind work provided by Parks and Recreation staff
- Length: 0.88 miles
Phase Three:
- Runs throughout Rockland Park (former Fishnet Property)
- Warren County is still pursuing grant funding to construct this phase
- Length: 0.63 miles
Phase Four:
- Includes improvements to Fishnet Boulevard and addition of pedestrian lane running parallel to the road
- Funded through VDOT’s Recreational Access Program
- Length: 0.57 miles
In addition to the construction of the trail being dedicated, Parks and Recreation staff have constructed two seating areas to allow users to enjoy views of the Shenandoah River and surrounding mountains. Signage has also been installed to inform trail users of the history of the Shenandoah River and William E. Carson.
If you have any questions about the Carson Trail or any other Parks and Recreation facilities, please contact Warren County’s Parks and Recreation Department by calling (540) 635-7750.
Documents of Interest:
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