Happy 2012 to all our members and supporters! We saw tremendous progress in 2011 towards bringing the Vine Trail vision to reality. See some of the year’s highlights plus a look ahead in this Winter 2012 newsletter. Have you signed up to receive our E-News yet? Just add your name at the link to your right. And don’t forget to “like” us on Facebook for even more timely news about the Vine Trail.

NAPA VALLEY VINE TRAIL COALITION       WALK   RIDE   LIVE   2012 WINTER QUARTERLY E-NEWS  GROW   MOVE   LAND  Happy 2012 to all our members and supporters!       WHO WE ARE The Napa Valley Vine Trail Coalition is a community-supported nonprofit working to create a continuous 44-mile walking/biking trail system connecting the Napa Valley like never before—from the Vallejo Ferry Terminal to the foot of Mt. St. Helena in Calistoga. Together we are building a Napa Valley future that is safer, greener, healthier, more economically vital…and more FUN for people of all ages and abilities.    ONE TRAIL…CONNECTING PEOPLE & PLACES, CULTURE & COMMERCE, RESIDENTS & VISITORS. 2011 ACCOMPLISHMENTS  Our 3rd year saw tremendous progress towards bringing the Vine Trail vision to reality—and we couldn’t have done it without our amazing  members and supporters! See some of the year’s highlights below. Big appreciation to our hardworking board and committees–Route, Capital Campaign, Marketing/Business Partnerships–for your time, creativity, and dedication. 2012 OUTLOOK NEW CONSTRUCTION: After the excitement of two ribbon cuttings in October 2010, we are finally looking forward to more construction in 2012! This section, along Solano Avenue, will connect the Yountville Mile south toward the existing Napa Commuter Trail, which crosses over Hwy 29, paralleling the Wine Train tracks,  into downtown Napa near the Oxbow. FEDERAL POLICY: 2012 promises some serious challenges to federal funding assistance for active transportation–safe pedestrian and cycling infrastructure. We will keep you informed of developments and might ask your help several times this year to write or sign letters to key decision makers. VINE TRAIL OUTREACH & PRESENTATIONS: In 2011, the Vine Trail set up tables and shared our vision with thousands of folks at gatherings such as Cheers! St. Helena, Harvest Festivals, Oxbow Locals Night, and with speaker presentations for service clubs and professional gatherings. If YOU have a suggestion of an event for us to calendar or would like to help us organize speaking to your group or event, please contact Shannon@vinetrail.org.    DONATE OR RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP The Vine Trail’s ranks of members and supporters have grown to over 5,000 since we started in 2008. THANK YOU for your support and advocacy! Your dollars and volunteer hours are at the core of our ability to bring this ambitious plan to reality. PLEASE CONSIDER A TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATION TODAY TO BECOME A MEMBER OR CONTINUE YOUR ACTIVE SUPPORT OF THE NAPA VALLEY VINE TRAIL.  We also greatly appreciate our business partner donations through such programs as Patagonia’s 1% For the Planet (THANKS Sportago, A Man’s Store, Massican Winery and more!) orNapa Valley Coffee Roasting Company’sdelicious custom “Vine Trail BLAZER Blend” availableonline or in the Napa or St Helena stores. Our capital campaign to raise $20 million in private funding is kicking into high gear in 2012. If you know someone or some group we should reach out to for major gifts, please let us know! You may donate directly to the Vine Trail with your credit card or Paypal account.  More info here or contact Operations Director Shannon Kuleto, shannon@vinetrail.org http://vinetrail.org/advocate/donate/ P.O. Box 93, Saint Helena, CA 94574       Charitable Tax ID 26-3426758 THE YOUNTVILLE MILE, the Vine Trail’s first completed portion, hosted many users and events in 2011 to rave reviews. We even welcomed federal Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and Congressman Mike Thompson for a site visit in May where the secretary delivered remarks on the importance of bike and pedestrian trail funding and took a walking tour of the “Yountville Mile.”  VINE TRAIL WINS $2.5 MILLION IN FEDERAL TCSP FUNDING In August 2011, we were thrilled to make the grade in a tough national competition for federal funds.  These dollars, in combination with other funds, including Vine Trail philanthropic donations, will allow Napa County to begin building the Vine Trail to connect Yountville to the City of Napa along Solano Avenue.  “This grant provides the pivotal funding to connect 60% of Napa County’s population together between Yountville and the City of Napa on a safe walking and biking trail separated from Highway 29,” said Vine Trail Executive Director Chuck McMinn.  WE HOPE FOR GROUNDBREAKING LATE SPRING 2012 ALONG SOLANO. ROUTE ALIGNMENT The Engineering Committee, ably led by trail planner Philip Sales, worked long volunteer hours in 2011 and will be rolling out results in 2012, including section maps, a design manual, kiosk/rest stop design (special thanks to the work of design firm 38 Spatial), more finely tuned cost estimates & other details. The Vine Trail is being designed in full cooperation with all the Valley’s communities, governments and the Ag Preserve. It is the key connector in the Napa Countywide Bicycle Plan (NCTPA) and the Napa Valley Trails Master Plan (NCRPOSD). 44-MILES DIVIDED INTO TEN AVA/CITY SECTIONS The Napa Valley is world-famous, above all, for its vineyards and their appellations.  To reflect this unique sense of place, ten sections of the Vine Trail’s 44 miles will be named for the city or vineyard AVA (American Viticultural Area or sub-appellations) the trail passes through.  Each section offers a donor pledging $1M high visibility recognition on all Way-Finding Signs in that section, on Vine Trail maps and on-line.  These ten sections will also add safety and convenience for all Vine Trail travelers. CALISTOGA Section ST. HELENA Section RUTHERFORD Section OAKVILLE Section YOUNTVILLE Section OAK KNOLL DISTRICT Section CITY of NAPA/COOMBSVILLE Section LOS CARNEROS Section AMERICAN CANYON Section VALLEJO Section The new construction south of Yountville along Solano, for instance, will be part of the “Oak Knoll District Section” of the Vine Trail.  VINE TRAIL OCTOBER BIRTHDAY & MEMBER APPRECIATION PARTY We had so much fun at our 3rd birthday party on the beautiful Riverbend Plaza on the Napa River Trail behind the historic Hatt Building in Napa that we are planning to do it all again for our 4th birthday! SAVE THE DATE—Friday, October 12, 2012– VINE TRAIL 4TH BIRTHDAY & MEMBER APPRECIATION PARTY Have you had a chance to check out the pictures from our 3rd Birthday Party?  Thanks again to our great guests,  donors and volunteers–and special thanks to those of you, members old and new, who match all three categories!   For up-to-the minute news about the progress of the Vine Trail, or to share your news and photos, please follow us on Facebook!  For those of you not on FB, you can now follow our Facebook posts right on ourwebsite, without the need to be a Facebook member! http://vinetrail.org/ HAPPY TRAILS IN 2012…AS WE MOVE AND IMPROVE OUR LIVES!

(Re-printed from a recent article in the Napa Register)

A week ago, a mile of the planned Calistoga-to-Vallejo Vine Trail was dedicated in Yountville.

On Wednesday, another 1.8-mile link — the so-called commuter bike path through the heart of Napa along Napa Valley Wine Train tracks — was ceremoniously opened.

Built by the city, the Napa trail is a mini-freeway for two-wheeled, people-powered vehicles and pedestrians running from Redwood Road at Highway 29 to Vallejo Street at Soscol Avenue near downtown.

The idea of converting a portion of the Wine Train right of way to a bike path was first conceived 17 years ago by former Public Works Director Mike O’Bryon. Wine Train’s founder, Vincent DeDomenico, was an early supporter.

O’Bryon realized that a large swath of Wine Train land could be better used, but it took years of planning and fundraising to make it happen, current Public Works Director Jacques LaRochelle said.

The bike path is noteworthy for having its own bridge across the freeway. The span was built as part of the Highway 29/Trancas Street interchange project.

Cyclists have the ability to trigger traffic lights at both Jefferson Street and Lincoln Avenue, enabling them to cross major roadways safely.

At Wednesday’s dedication, cycling advocate Mark Lucas said facilities like the railroad bike path may help to get people out of their cars to do chores close to home.

Including the freeway overcrossing, the 1.8-mile bike path cost $5.4 million, virtually all of it from state grants, officials said.

Ghilotti Construction Co. of Santa Rosa built the final two-thirds of a mile for $1 million, including the traffic signal at Lincoln.

Napa Councilmember Jim Krider remembered operating a bike shop in Napa 30 years ago when a facility like a dedicated bike path would have been considered a “dream.”

“We’re getting to where we wanted to be,” Krider said.

Chuck McMinn, executive director of the Napa Valley Wine Trail Coalition, said Napa was the valley’s leader in bike trails. When a planned trail is built by the flood control project between downtown and Imola Avenue, the city will have seven of the Vine Trail’s nine miles of trail, he said.

“What a great example the city of Napa has set for what we now need to do everywhere in the Napa Valley,” McMinn said.

(Re-printed from a recent article in the Napa Register)

In what will be remembered as the first section of trail built with the goal of linking two ends of the Napa Valley, the town of Yountville officially opened an almost mile-long portion of the Napa Valley Vine Trail.

Affectionately known as the “Yountville mile,” the section actually spans 4,500 feet — from California Drive in the south to Madison Street in the north — treating riders to tree tunnels, shaded stretches and views of the valley’s scenic hills.

Graham Wadsworth, Yountville’s public works director, explained that the project cost $1.3 million, with $300,000 coming from the town and $1 million from federal stimulus dollars.

“This project is emblematic of exactly what we wanted the stimulus bill to do,” said Brian Bottari of Rep. Mike Thompson’s office. He said the project not only put people back to work, but provided the town with something beneficial once the job was done.

Wadsworth said 40 area residents — many of whom had gone without a job for six months — were put to work for the four months needed to complete the path.

Yountville Mayor Cynthia Saucerman said that while the majority of people visiting the Napa Valley come for the food and drink, the new trail will provide guests with a special way to enjoy the valley’s scenic landscapes.

“This project gives visitors an opportunity to experience the Napa Valley from a very different perspective,” she said. The trail parallels Highway 29 on the east side.

While various bike trails exist throughout the region, the “Yountville mile” is the first section to be built and “branded” to the specifications that will be used in future sections of the 44-mile Napa Valley Vine Trail, which hopes to link Calistoga to the Vallejo ferry terminal.

“We have a new development,” said Chuck McMinn, executive director of the Napa Valley Vine Trail Coalition. “It’s 44 miles of trail and this the model home.”

During Thursday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony, more than 50 people gathered at the northern trailhead, many of them patiently straddling bicycles — either their own or  borrowed from the nearby Napa Valley Bike Tours building — waiting to take part in the first official ride of the “Yountville mile.”

“The Town of Yountville undertook a huge task for such a small town,” said Jim Krider, chairman of the Napa County Transportation and Planning Agency. “They pulled it off with great style.”

• Path is open from sunrise to sunset.
• Motor vehicles are not permitted on the path.
• Pick up after yourself and your pet.
• Dogs must be kept on a leash.
• No open alcoholic beverages allowed.
• Stay off trees.
• Respect your neighbors – stay on trail and out of private property

More than 60 Vine Trail enthusiasts filled the room at Yountville’s beautiful new Community Center July 28th. All ages — from toddlers to octogenarians — came out, eager to hear how they could help the Coalition’s efforts to build a dedicated walking, hiking, biking trail from Vallejo to Calistoga.

Executive Director Chuck McMinn introduced the Vine Trail’s new Operations Director, Shannon Kuleto, before presenting an informative overview of the Vine Trail’s vision, master plan and pledge to accomplish its goals of open, inclusive and voluntary cooperation; with no vineyard land taken out of production (see the slideshow here).

Chuck’s presentation continued with a detailed update on the status of Vine Trail design, funding and construction. The Yountville mile, which began construction in April, is mere weeks away from completion in September! (see photos of Yountville Vine Trail construction progress here)

EVERYONE CAN HELP

Vine Trail Marketing Chair Gwen McGill then highlighted the many areas where the Vine Trail offers volunteer opportunities, and attendees gathered in smaller groups to offer their help, including (but NOT limited to) Marketing (especially creating business partnerships or training as a speaker to talk up the Vine Trail to clubs and groups), Engineering, Grant Writing, Capital Campaign, Administration/Database assistance, Membership Outreach, or staffing an event table (such as at Farmers Markets, Cheers! St. Helena, etc) to raise awareness and sign people up.

If you were unable to make this rally but would like to join us, please send a note with your name, contacts and possible areas of interest to Shannon Kuleto shannon@vinetrail.org. We are looking for an ace volunteer coordinator, too, by the way!

Most important for an all-volunteer grass roots coalition is simply SPREADING THE WORD. Become a member (donate securely here on the website).  Join our Facebook nonprofit group page “Napa Valley Vine Trail.” Invite us to present to your community or professional group. And ask your friends to do the same! The stronger our network, the greater–and sooner–our success!

Hosted at the Oxbow Market with Congressman Mike Thompson and Executive Director, Chuck McMinn launching the Vine Trail membership program.

Would you like to learn more, lend a hand or show your support for the Vine Trail?  Join the Napa Valley Vine Trail Coalition for a construction kick-off event on Saturday, May 22 from 2–5 p.m. at the Oxbow Market in Napa. Come, have a glass of wine and celebrate the official beginnings of a paved trail that will eventually allow community members to ride, glide or stride all the way from the Vallejo Ferry Terminal to Calistoga.

Congressman Mike Thompson will be on hand to show his support and will speak about the Federal Transportation Grant that he is advocating on behalf of the Vine Trail.  Vine Trail Executive Director, Chuck McMinn, will talk about the progress being made on the trail and introduce the exciting new Vine Trail membership program.

The Napa Valley Vine Trail is supported by an alliance of public agencies, and agricultural, commercial and environmental interest groups.  When complete, the 44-mile trail will significantly reduce the community’s carbon footprint by replacing 150,000 automobile trips per year, and is expected to positively impact Napa County’s annual economy by $75 Million.  Construction on the Yountville portion of the trail – the first of many – began April 14, and expected to be completed by Fall of 2010.

The Vine Trail is a proposed multi-use hiking & biking trail, which will extend 44 miles – from Calistoga at the north end of the Napa Valley, to the Vallejo Ferry Terminal in Solano County.

More info in our Events section.

The Napa Valley Vine Trail had strong representation at the first of six Cheers! St Helena event on Friday May 7th.

Local NVVT Vine Trail Marketing Committee member, Chris Cutler, and Executive Director, Chuck McMinn, were on-hand to discuss plans and progress with prospective Vine Trail donors, volunteers and overall supporters. Questions were answered and email addresses were collected.

It was a wonderful evening in wine country with local business opening their doors to visitors, vintners pouring wines, live music, magicians, food stalls and 4,000 people on hand to take it all in!