Potato Knob Trail, Holly River State Park, WV

New accessible boardwalks bring visiors to the scenic Upper Falls of the Left Fork of Holly River.

Project sponsor: West Virginia Division of Natural Resources - Parks and Recreation Section

Award Category: Construction and Design

Congressional District: Nick Rahall (D-3-WV)

Senators: Robert Byrd (D) and John Rockefeller (D)

2007 Annual Achievement Award winner: for trail projects funded through the Recreational Trails Program of the Federal Highway Administration. Awarded by the Coalition for Recreation Trails.

Click photo to enlarge

RTP funding from a 2001 award was used to design and construct a trail and boardwalk that has opened a beautiful area of Holly River State Park to seniors, the very young, and people with disabilities. In addition, the trail has reduced the environmental impact from people scaling the rugged terrain to visit the scenic Upper Falls of the Left Fork of Holly River, all while meeting USDA Forest Service Trail Accessibility Guidelines.

Steep terrain beyond the overlook provides a condition for departure from the grade requirements in several locations. The trail is approximately 200 feet long over this stretch and has a change in altitude of approximately 120 feet.

The extreme terrain makes compliance with the technical provision for grade impractical. Complying with the grade requirements in these areas would cause the trail to be significantly longer and cause a greater impact on the environment. Steps were constructed to carry the trail over these stretches.

	The trail brings visitors to views of the Upper Falls of the Left Fork of Holly River

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For more information:

James Lombardo, District Administrator, Parks and Recreation Section, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, Capitol Complex, Building 3, Room 710, 1900 Kanawha Boulevard East, Charleston, WV 25305; 304-558-2764

For more great trails, see:

• The West Virginia Trails page and nationwide index of state-by-state trail links
• Featured National Recreation Trails in West Virginia

See previous Recreational Trails Program Award Winners:

• 2006
• 2005
• 2004
• 2003
• 2002
• 2001
• 2000

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