Studies have shown that before a trail is put in, there are usually concerns on the part of property owners or neighbors over crime, real estate values, privacy and liability issues (the "CRPL" four that can cripple a trail's development). These studies also demonstrate that these fears are unfounded. Crime along trails is lower than the area average, real estate values are marginally higher for properties on trails, privacy issues can be minimized through proper design, liability is low in theory and lower in practice around existing trails, and landowners are specifically protected in California by Civil Code section 846. See the link to the 372 trail study on our links page for more!
The cost of the Vine Trail is estimated to be $50 million. There are a number of federal and state sources of funding for trails; we hope to create a compelling story to win access to funds for at least half of the project, with fundraising events and capital campaign donations providing the remaining half. To date, we have assisted public agencies to secure $12 million in federal and state funds.
The trail will be a huge benefit for the community; many studies of existing trails, including several listed on our Resources page, have shown exactly that. Public trails are used extensively by both local residents and visitors, and generate economic benefits on the order of $50 per use. They also have recreational, health, environmental and social benefits that go far beyond monetary and/or commercial value. Over 18,000 students attend schools within a half mile of the Vine Trail.
The trail will follow Highway 29 and the existing Wine Train tracks north of Napa. South of Napa it will follow the Wine Train Tracks and the Napa River. As soon as we have a postable map it will be added to the Vine Trail Route page.
We are a group of committed people who have come together to build a county-wide walking and biking trail from the Vallejo Ferry Terminal to Calistoga.