The Community Design Assistance Center (CDAC) was asked by the Front Royal Tree Stewards, in conjunction with the Town of Front Royal, to develop a conceptual master plan for a greenway. The Royal Shenandoah Greenway, that would utilize the constructed portion of Happy Creek Trail and create a loop connecting Burrell Brooks Jr. Community Park, Samuels Public Library, Ressie Jeffries Elementary School, Skyline High School, and the proposed Eastham Park along the South Fork of the Shenandoah.
The project study area is within the Town of Front Royal. Front Royal is located in Warren County, 70 miles west of Washington, D.C., near the junction of I-66 and I-81. The North and South Forks of the Shenandoah River join here to form the main stem of the Shenandoah River. The Town is bounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains on the east and the Massanutten Mountains on the west. Elevations in the area range from 566 feet in downtown to over 3,300 feet in the surrounding mountains. The mountain ridges visually dominate the landscape, looming 1,000 to 2,900 feet over the central lowland. Topography in these mountainous parts includes steep-walled valleys with fast flowing streams and wooded slopes.
With the help of Town and County staff , and the Tree Stewards, the CDAC team developed conceptual design recommendations for the Royal Shenandoah Greenway. The project team also received feedback, guidance, and support from National Park Service staff related to trail connections to and through the Shenandoah National Forest and from the Virginia Department of Transportation related to road crossings.
The conceptual design provides multiple access points throughout the Town that allow residents and visitors to enjoy the variety of the Royal Shenandoah Greenway. Six greenway zones join to result in a complete looped trail system which has unique qualities and experiences along its entirety. A smaller loop within the larger greenway loop allows for increased user choices and opportunities.
The final report includes descriptions of the conceptual master plan, illustrative sketches, and documentation of the entire design process.