Building Trail Towns and Outdoor Tourism with Madison Stone

I talk with Madison Stone, executive director of the Elk River Trail Foundation, about the work happening along the Elk River from Sutton Dam to the Kanawha River in Charleston. I learn the foundation is a 501(c)(3) focused on preserving, protecting, and enhancing both the river and the Elk River Trail. Madison walks me through how they’re adding regular kayak launches and ADA-accessible access points in trail towns like Sutton, Gassaway, Clay, and Clendenin so more people can get on the 102 miles of free-flowing water. We cover the 72-mile rail trail that supports walking, running, biking, and horseback riding, and how it gives locals and visitors a way to step outside daily life and experience the region. She explains their vision to attract people from across the country and even other nations, something already happening with their annual marathon, half marathon, and 5K that brought in more than 700 participants this year. I point listeners to elkrivertrail.org to learn more, support the work, or plan a visit.