Expanding Outdoor Recreation and Trail Access Near the New River Gorge
The Thrasher Group partnered with the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority and the City of Oak Hill to deliver a series of park trail improvements at Needleseye Park. Located just outside the New River Gorge National Park, the 283‑acre park serves as a key outdoor recreation destination for both local residents and visitors looking to explore the region’s natural landscape.
Needleseye Park already offered a variety of recreational amenities, including bouldering, hiking, mountain biking, disc golf, parking, and picnic areas. The planned improvements built on that foundation, significantly expanding trail access through the addition of approximately seven miles of new soft‑surface mountain bike trails and hiking paths. The project also included upgrades to parking areas, restroom facilities, wayfinding signage, landscaping, and stormwater management features, helping support long‑term, sustainable use of the park.
Thrasher provided comprehensive survey, design, permitting, and construction administration services for the project. Working closely with the client’s specialty mountain bike trail design consultant, the team supported permitting of the soft‑surface trails through the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, while carefully managing erosion and sediment control requirements to reduce environmental impact and project costs.
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