The Community Design Assistance Center (CDAC) was requested jointly by the Town of Blacksburg and Montgomery County to develop a conceptual master plan for the Blacksburg-Montgomery County Loop Trail. This conceptual plan and any subsequent implementation is envisioned as a joint venture between the Town of Blacksburg and Montgomery County. Both entities will share the cost of the planning and development of the trail, as well as the many benefits that the trail will provide for their communities and residents.

The study area for the route is bounded by the Cedar Run drainage basin along State Route 603, Norfolk Southern Railroad adjacent to the Ellett Valley Nature Park, VDOT Smart Road and South Main Street in Blacksburg. Town-owned properties within this area have been given due consideration as primary locations for portions of the proposed trail route.

The conceptual design provides multiple access points for nearby residents, bicycle commuter traffic and community members. Connections between the mainline, multiple-use trail, a pedestrian-only trail, the existing Ellett Valley Nature Park trail system and designated bike routes link this area into a larger network of recreational opportunities. Primary objectives for the conceptual design project include: collaboration with citizenry (area landowners, community members) to assess support; physical landscape evaluation regarding trail suitability; and an inventory of the area's natural and cultural heritage attributes.

Description:

This section begins at the Jennelle Road entrance to the Ellett Valley Nature Park. The proposed mainline route traverses the length of the town-owned park land sweeping north near the convergence of the Norfolk Southern Railroad line and the VDOT Smart Road. The route then follows the northeastern boundary line of the VDOT Smart Road reaching Jennelle Road near the Smart Road overpass.
 
An alternate route begins at the Ellett Valley Nature Park and more closely parallels Jennelle Road, following property boundary lines as much as possible. The alternate route crosses Jennelle Road between the Smart Road overpass and Brumfield Road.

Inventory:

Southeastern Zone
• The outer perimeter of the property has consistently moderate to steep side slopes, with several drop-offs due to the railroad bed cut.
• A scenic view is located at a northeasterly knoll overlooking the railroad tracks.
• A rock ledge streambed descends steeply from the Ellett Valley Nature Park interior toward the railroad bed.
• Rock features are prominent throughout the area.
• Forest cover is primarily hickory and oak with a maple and dogwood understory.
• Foamflower, bloodroot and sunflower provide groundcover in sunny locations. The shrub layer contains raspberry and blueberry.
Southwestern Zone
• The middle portion of the landscape flattens into a generous plateau area located between two sinkholes.
• Several field openings provide pastoral views.
• The forest cover is generally young mixed hardwoods with moderate undergrowth.
• A pine plantation area is located on a moderate slope just to the west of the plateau.
• The Smart Road right-of-way includes extensive regrading work for the full length of the western section boundary.
• Active cattle pasture in this section.
Analysis (for preferred alternative):
The terrain supports a full bench mainline treadway construction throughout this section. Several short, steep stretches may require both uphill and downhill edging support to stabilize the cut bank. Optimal scenic features and local support is best obtained through a route location generally following the outer perimeter of the section. On the eastern side, upslope stabilization will be needed along the steep slopes of the Ellett Valley Nature Park parcel. On the western slope, longer steep sections will be necessary for the treadway to follow the perimeter line. The CDAC design team recommends consultation with VDOT for further analysis of proposed mainline route crossing of Jennelle Road in this section.