By Caroline Leak
Buena Vista has just received a $200,000 federal grant to put toward the city’s end of the Chessie Nature Trail. The combined efforts of Lexington, VMI, Friends of the Chessie Trail and Buena Vista will result in a connected trail within the next few years. In 2003, Hurricane Isabel tore through Rockbridge County, leaving behind $4 million in damage and a fragmented trail. Since then, runners and walkers have had to detour from the trail at various points to complete their journey. Midway along the trail, VMI is pursuing a grant to rebuild the South River bridge. Correction: The VMI Foundation deeded the trail to VMI in 2010, not 2013 as stated in the video.