Spotsylvania, Va. - Trail planning and construction are moving forward with recent grants from the Luck Stone Foundation and area businesses and organizations to Spotsylvania Greenways Initiative (SGI).

“These grants contribute to our goal of connecting county residents with trails,”

said Chris Folger, chair of SGI. “This trail, the Patriot Park Connector, will give Spotsylvania residents more opportunities to take trails to natural environments, recreational parks and historical locations.”

The Luck Stone Foundation is providing a total of $10,000 through grants. The first $5,000 will advance the approval of site plans and acquire public access easements to the Patriot Park. The second $5,000, which will be used to complete the trail, will be made available at the end of the Patriot Park Connector fundraising campaign.

“We are excited about this opportunity with SGI,” said Charlie Luck, chief executive officer of Luck Stone and a board member of the Luck Stone Foundation. “Partnering with them on a trail system will have a positive impact on the community and our environment now and well into the future.”

When the Patriot Park Connector is finished, walkers, bicyclists and mountain bikers will be able to enjoy the longest trail in the county to date. The roundtrip distance of the Salamander Loop, Patriot Park trails and the connector will be 12 miles.

“These grants move us one step closer to realizing the vision of this trail system,” said Eileen Dahlstedt, general manager of Luck Development Partners (LDP) and vice chair of Spotsylvania Greenways Initiative. LDP is designing and developing Ni Village, a sustainable, interconnected community in Spotsylvania.

Volunteers are needed to design and construct the trail. Individuals or groups interested in volunteer opportunities can learn more at www.spotsylvaniagreenways.org.