Steika, Kim; Owen, Timothy; Rodes, Doug; Rosso, Nathan (Virginia Tech. Community Design Assistance Center, 2008-05-30)
The Community Design Assistance Center worked with the Town of Pennington Gap, Lee County, and the Stone Mountain ATV Club to develop a conceptual master plan for a recreational ATV trail system. The trail system is intended to serve a broad skill range of users, from beginners to more advanced. Additionally, the trail would meet not only the needs of the town but the larger county area as well. The proposed trail system could also serve to generate economic development and entrepreneurship for the area, bringing visitors to enjoy the trail as well as local restaurants, shops, and overnight accommodations. The Pennington Gap-Stone Mountain ATV Trail System aims to be the first of many in a larger network of trails in Southwest Virginia. The Hatfield-McCoy Trail in West Virginia is an excellent example of how an ATV trail can positively effect the economy of adjacent local areas.