This summer, Downtown Ashland Association will break ground on a self-guided walking tour! The Mid-Atlantic Railroad Park will include nine stops, beginning at Ashland Train Station and continuing to railroad attractions like the red caboose, steam train mural, and many more. The tour will stretch one mile from the tracks, along England Street, to Pufferbelly Park.
We cannot wait to share the stories of Ashland’s railroad heritage and our place in the national railroad scene with residents and visitors alike! In the meantime, here’s info on how the Mid-Atlantic Railroad Park keeps chugging along…
Inspiration
In an effort to spur local business by increasing foot traffic along downtown sidewalks, Downtown Ashland Association’s Board of Directors dreamed up a self-guided walking tour for visitors to discover our historic train town. They envisioned a series of small parks to be educational and entertaining while highlighting Ashland’s rich railroad history. Nine exhibits will be located within easy walking distance of each other, free to the public year-round, and include interactive elements with a website and mobile app to enhance the tour.
Input
Downtown Ashland Association put the idea to the test in 2019 by holding public input sessions and an online survey. Ashland residents were overwhelmingly in support of building the Mid-Atlantic Railroad Park as a placemaking feature to tell Ashland’s story. The Association gathered valuable ideas for interpretive content, locations, and design.
Approval
Following public input, Downtown Ashland Association presented a proposal for the Mid-Atlantic Railroad Park to the Town of Ashland. It was unanimously approved by Town Council in 2020. Once the park is constructed in the summer of 2023, the town will take on ownership and maintenance of the nine sites.
Volunteers
Building a public park is a group effort! Volunteers worked diligently for years to fundraise and plan for the park. Thanks to their efforts, more than one hundred individuals and businesses have donated toward the Mid-Atlantic Railroad Park’s construction. Doswell Limited Partnership is its largest supporter, followed closely by the Mary Morton Parsons Foundation. Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, CSX, and The Port of Virginia provided support as well.
Collaboration
Creating the interpretive content of each exhibit was a joint project of the Hanover County Black Heritage Society, Ashland Museum, and Downtown Ashland Association. We have designed exhibits on major railroad inventions and innovations, railroad workers, technological advances, and their impacts on our local community.
Construction
Our local team is bringing the Mid-Atlantic Railroad Park from idea to reality! Landscaping has been generously donated by James River Nurseries of Ashland. Engineering was contracted from Timmons Group. Construction plans are being prepared by Stable Foundations LLC of Ashland. Nine kiosks were fabricated by Randy Jackson of Steel Standing in Hanover Air Park. The Town of Ashland provides oversight throughout the process.
Breaking Ground
After years of planning and effort, the Mid-Atlantic Railroad Park is breaking ground in August of 2023. Sites include the 1923 train station, Tinder Guest House’s restored 1926 red caboose, a wheel truck, a Janney coupler, and America’s longest railroad mural.
Launch
Stay tuned on our website, Facebook and Instagram to join the October ribbon cutting ceremony and community celebration.