Henrico kicks off two-week public comment period for proposed New Market Heights Trail with interactive input session

At a public information meeting July 29 at the Varina Area Library, more than a dozen Henrico County officials along with local, regional and federal partners, presented plans for the proposed 3.2-mile New Market Heights Trail, which will highlight an area of historical significance, preserve natural land and increase alternative mobility.

Running north from Deep Bottom Park at the James River in Varina, the 10-to-12 foot-wide trail will connect to Four Mile Creek Park at New Market Road.

Formed with partnerships with the National Park Service, Richmond National Battlefields Association, the NPS Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program, the American Battlefields Trust, Capital Region Land Conservancy and Richmond Battlefields Association, the path will highlight areas of historical and natural importance.

“The trail follows the path of the United States Colored Troops as they advanced to attack the Confederate troops on September 29, 1864,” said Varina District Supervisor Tyrone Nelson. “On that day, 14 Black soldiers earned the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration presented by the United States to a member of its armed forces. The trail will help us remember the bravery and valor and the carriage of these soldiers. It will connect areas of natural and historical significance.”

But the story of the U.S. Colored Troops who fought that battle is little known. For Civil War historians and organizations such as the Battle of the New Market Heights Memorial and Education Association, the new development means a chance to place a memorial at a significant site to properly recognize the soldiers who fought for freedom, those who fell, and those who were injured.

The troops inspired their general to testify before congress in favor of the Civil Rights Act of 1874.

Richmond Battlefields Association President Mark Perreault called the fighting at New Market Heights significant because it was the first battle the Union troops won and the site of the U.S. Colored Troops most significant victory in the Civil War.

“As such, it deserves to be preserved, just like Gettysburg and Cold Harbor,” Perreault said.

Parker Agelasto, president of the CRLC, said the NPS has been wanting to preserve this land for three decades. He said the trail will mark a conflict during which one side won and one side lost but the country came back together.

“This is a place where all people can come and experience what the war was like and to read the testimony of the troops that fought,” Agelasto said.

The New Market Heights Trail will be among a number of other Civil War National Park Service sites benefiting from NPS interpretation in the Varina area.

Practically, the trail will connect to the Capital Trail at New Market Park.

Ryan Levering, capital projects manager in Henrico County's Transportation Development Division in the Department of Public Works, said the project is a part of Henrico County's overall plan for increased trails, increasing non-car-focused mobility and safety, that promotes health.

With the trail concept plan scheduled to be completed this fall, construction is planned to take place primarily during 2026 and 2027.

The officials opened the floor for questions and comments and offered attendees the chance to write comments on sticky notes on maps posted around the room. One attendee brought up concerns about crossing New Market Road (Route 5), a busy state route. Another attendee brought up the possibility of permeable pavers and a horse path alongside the trail.

Other attendees brought up their desire for accessibility for other communities in Eastern Henrico, where residents also are hoping for safe ways to get the Capital Trail, schools and the library by bike or by foot.

“From a big picture standpoint, it's all good feedback, because it enables us to better plan out what the area could look like to improve community connections,” said Levering. “That's a lot of what I've been hearing so far.”

The public has nearly two more weeks to turn in comments directly to Levering or via an online comment form about the New Market Heights Trail to the Henrico Department of Public Works. The comment period closes Aug. 12.

Dina Weinstein is the Citizen’s community vitality reporter and a Report for America corps member, covering housing, health and transportation. Support her work and articles like this one by making a contribution to the Citizen.