News Leader
By Claire Mitzel
VERONA — Augusta County recently won an achievement award from the Virginia Association of Counties for its creation of The Trails at Mill Place. The county was one of 26 to win a VACo achievement award.
The trail’s opening in September 2018 gave Augusta County residents a two-thirds mile paved walking trail in Mill Place Commerce Park, according to the county’s award application. The trail includes benches, trash cans and a picnic shelter.
“The cornerstone element of the trail is a two-acre stormwater management pond which is open for catch-and-release fishing-a textbook opportunity for adults and children of all ages to be introduced to recreational fishing,” the submission says.
The project cost $243,000 and was completed over a several year period. The county paid $231,000, and the remainder was supplemented by community partners and businesses. The Greater Verona Business Association donated the picnic shelter.
The achievement awards recognize excellence in local government programs, according to a news release from the Virginia Association of Counties. There were 96 submissions, and 26 received awards.
“This is the 17th year of the Achievement Awards, and we couldn’t be prouder of the innovative work done by our member counties,” VACo Executive Director Dean Lynch said in the release.
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