(ABINGDON, Va.- Tuesday, September 9, 2025) – Two Southwest Virginia regions now have detailed roadmaps for transforming their outdoor recreation economies over the next 15 years. Friends of Southwest Virginia is excited to announce the completion of the Foothills of the Blue Ridge Outdoor Recreation Plan, covering Henry and Patrick Counties and the City of Martinsville, and the Powell & Clinch Outdoor Recreation Plan, which spans Lee, Scott, and Wise Counties, along with the City of Norton. Developed with extensive community input, these plans will guide major improvements to outdoor assets, such as trails and parks, and tourism infrastructure while creating new opportunities for the outdoor economy and boosting quality of life.

The plans are part of the larger Gateways to Southwest Virginia: Outdoor Economy Recreation Plan, which aims to create a unified strategy to improve connectivity, expand outdoor amenities, and stimulate economic growth by fostering regional partnerships and securing diverse funding. Led by Friends of Southwest Virginia (Friends) and funded by grants from the Appalachian Regional Commission and the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission, this phase was completed through extensive collaboration with local partners and community members, building upon previous planning efforts.

“Completing the Foothills of the Blue Ridge and Powell & Clinch Outdoor Recreation Plans is an incredible milestone for our region,” said Kim Davis, Executive Director of Friends of Southwest Virginia. “These plans lay the groundwork for transformational investments in trails, waterways, and tourism infrastructure that will benefit both residents and visitors for years to come. By working across regional lines and listening directly to our communities, we’ve created a roadmap for outdoor-driven economic growth that’s rooted in place, partnerships, and the power of Southwest Virginia’s natural assets.”

The plans highlight diverse opportunities to enhance and connect the regions’ existing outdoorassets, featuring detailed renderings, site master plans, and 3D illustrations alongside clear implementation strategies and prioritization schedules. Both regions benefit from the unique advantage of having towns and cities closely connected to nature, where visitors can enjoy local businesses and step into pristine natural areas within minutes. These abundant outdoor assets build community connections and position each region to become premier outdoor destinations.

Foothills of the Blue Ridge Outdoor Recreation Plan

The Foothills of the Blue Ridge Outdoor Recreation Plan is designed to further grow the outdoor economy by leveraging existing infrastructure, public lands, and funding opportunities to advance projects that position the region as a premier local and regional outdoor recreation and tourism destination. The 15-year roadmap focuses on building partnerships for sustainable outdoor recreation growth, including promoting and developing trail networks, paddle trails (blueways), historic downtowns, and local business opportunities.

“I am extremely excited about the potential impact that this plan would have in our county,” said James Houchins, Director of Tourism for Patrick County, Virginia. “The Foothills of the Blue Ridge Outdoor Recreation Plan has provided us with some incredible concepts to explore what could be. The downtown riverfront concept would be a game-changer for our citizens and tourists, by improving access to the trail and river for all types of water activities.”

The plan focuses on developing recreation areas within the Blue Ridge Parkway corridor, Fairy Stone State Park, Philpott Lake, Mayo River Rail Trail, and local mountain biking trails. The plan’s development was led by Friends and the West Piedmont Planning District Commission (WPPDC), in collaboration with the Dan River Basin Association (DRBA), Patrick County Economic Development and Tourism, Henry County Parks and Recreation, the City of Martinsville, and other regional and local partners.

Powell & Clinch Outdoor Recreation Plan

The Powell & Clinch Outdoor Recreation Plan aims to boost the local economy, enhance quality of life, and attract visitors by expanding access to water-based recreation, developing accessible trails, and fostering regional and multi-state collaboration. The 15-year roadmap focuses on building connectivity and partnerships for sustainable outdoor recreation growth by developing trail networks, blueways, outdoor recreation businesses, and opportunities for local entrepreneurs.

“As our continue their work to establish both Norton and the wider High Knob Region as a destination for outdoor recreation and ecotourism, we’re excited for how the Powell & Clinch Outdoor Recreation Plan can help further these efforts by providing guidance to better highlight and expand our outdoor spaces and connect them to our downtown corridors,” said Katie Dunn, Community Engagement & Tourism Director for the City of Norton, Virginia.

The plan builds on the region’s unique outdoor assets in the region-including Natural Tunnel State Park, the Clinch and Powell Rivers, and the High Knob Recreation Area—to develop and improve hiking and multi-use trails, river access points, watersport and bike rental businesses, campgrounds, and vibrant downtown public spaces.

The Powell & Clinch plan’s development team included representatives of Friends, the LENOWISCO Planning District, City of Norton Tourism, Lee County Economic Development & Tourism, Wise County Economic Development & Tourism, and Scott County Public Works.

Destination by Design (DbD) served as the lead consulting firm for both plans. DbD brings over 10 years of experience in creating vibrant public spaces, developing recreational opportunities, and building regional brands, with a focus on engaging local communities and leaders to guide strategic investments.

Southwest Virginia includes 19 counties and four independent cities located near the southern and western border of Virginia. The Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Commission, established in 2008 by the Virginia General Assembly, takes the lead in developing a creative economy in Southwest Virginia. In 2011, the Commission became the Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Foundation, a self-sustaining community development organization with support from the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Through a supporting non-profit, the Friends of Southwest Virginia, businesses, and individuals help artists, crafts people, localities, nonprofits and entrepreneurs mobilize and succeed. To learn more visit https://friendsofswva.org/.