FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1) What is Trails in Floyd? Trails in Floyd (TIF) is a volunteer group of mostly Floyd County citizens who support and desire to see trails established in Floyd County.
2) Where will these trails be located? Through a grant and utilizing public meetings as input, a Conceptual Trail Corridor Plan for Floyd County has been published. This plan, howbeit subject to change as needed, identifies several trail corridors throughout the county. Exact locations have NOT been identified as yet.
3) How will trail locations be identified and acquired? TIF will seek willing landowners along trail corridors who support the TIF project and are willing to allow trails on their property. Willing landowners will grant easements, leases, or fee simple title for a trail to cross their property.
4) Who will pay for construction of the trails? Many grants from both public and private sources are available. With most grants an in-kind match is required. Often this can be in the form of time, services and materials, but occasionally matching funds will be required. In this case TIF would use/seek donations and or fund raisers.
5) Why do we need trails? People want to stay active and healthy, and hiking, biking, walking, and horse back riding are popular ways to stay in shape. Obesity in young and old is a problem in our nation. Heart patients, folks trying to lose weight, people walking their pets, and family outings are some of the reasons given for trails. In addition, trails encourage tourism which adds to the local economy, connecting communities, reducing traffic and pedestrian accidents, protecting scenic and natural areas.
6) Will trails on my property change my property taxes or value? Trails in other locations in Virginia have not significantly changed property taxes or appraisal values.
7) What usage will be allowed? Walking/hiking, biking and horses will be permitted. Motorized vehicles, other than emergency vehicles, will not be permitted.
8) Who will maintain these trails? In most cases volunteers will maintain the trails.
9) How will I access my property or keep my cattle in if a trail crosses my property? Ideally, trails would be located along property lines to minimize the impact on private property. If trails transect a parcel, gates, stiles, and fencing will be part of the trail construction to allow landowner and/or livestock access.
10) What kind of surface will the trail have? This will vary with degree of slope, type of usage and costs. In some portions pavement may be appropriate. In others bark, cinders or dirt may be the surface. 
11) Where will users park? Will they cross my property? Parking and access points will be planned and located at needed access points. Access will be restricted to these locations. The parking areas will be deeded on easement areas and hopefully have bathrooms, lighting, trail information, picnic tables and facilities for horses.
12) Who will be liable for accidents on the trail? This is still being researched. Currently, if the easement is held by a local government entity, the local government has sovereign immunity and is covered under the State of Virginia’s risk management insurance. The liability of landowners who allow the public to use their land is limited under the Code of Virginia §29.1-509- For purposes of this section, whenever any person enters into an agreement with, or grants an easement to, the Commonwealth or any agency thereof, any county, city, or town, or with any local or regional authority created by law for public park, historic site or recreational purposes, concerning the use of, or access over, his land by the public for any of the purposes enumerated in subsections B and C of this section, the government, agency, county, city, town, or authority with which the agreement is made shall hold a person harmless from all liability and be responsible for providing, or for paying the cost of, all reasonable legal services required by any person entitled to the benefit of this section as the result of a claim or suit attempting to impose liability. Any action against the Commonwealth, or any agency, thereof, for negligence arising out of a use of land covered by this section shall be subject to the provisions of the Virginia Tort Claims Act (§ 8.01-195.1 et seq.). Any provisions in a lease or other agreement which purports to waive the benefits of this section shall be invalid, and any action against any county, city, town, or local or regional authority shall be subject to the provisions of § 15.2-1809, where applicable.
13) Where can I obtain more information? The Virginia Department of Recreation http://www.dcr.virginia.gov, New River Valley Trails http://www.nrvtrails.org, or http://www.BikeWalkVirginia.org or contact:

Dennis Anderson at dennis.anderson@dof.virginia.gov or 540-745-2616.