Shane Farthing & Associates Selected to Lead Blue Ridge Parkway Regional Trails Assessment
ASHEVILLE, NC — The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation has selected Shane Farthing & Associates (SF&A) to conduct a comprehensive assessment and inventory of hiking trails and greenways along the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway corridor and its adjacent gateway communities. This initiative, part of the "Blue Ridge Rising" regional strategy, aims to create a standardized, data-driven inventory to support tourism, outdoor recreation, and economic development across 29 counties in Virginia and North Carolina.
Mapping the Future of Regional Recreation
As the Blue Ridge Parkway corridor continues to be a premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts, this project will provide the Foundation and its partners with a reliable, expert-led evaluation of existing trail infrastructure. SF&A will employ a structured, five-phase technical approach to identify and catalog between 145 and 290 priority trails.
Key components of the engagement include:
Data Standardization: Developing a consistent ArcGIS geodatabase schema to ensure all trail data is "map-ready" and compatible with existing digital infrastructure.
Comprehensive Inventory: Executing a "discovery process" that synthesizes digital data from platforms like AllTrails and Trailforks with local knowledge from a network of over 1,200 stakeholders.
Thematic Curation: Organizing the inventory into 15 to 20 "Top 10" themed lists—such as waterfall hikes and accessible paths—to enhance destination marketing.
Field Validation: Conducting on-site physical assessments and high-resolution imagery capture for 10% of the inventoried trails to ensure data accuracy and improve storytelling.
Expert Leadership
The project is led by SF&A Principal Shane Farthing, who brings nearly 20 years of experience in leveraging trail infrastructure for community revitalization. Mr. Farthing’s background includes overseeing national trail research for the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and driving significant infrastructure investment through municipal trail development.
"We view trail networks not just as recreation, but as low-cost, high-impact infrastructure capable of driving regional revitalization," says Farthing. "Our goal is to provide the Foundation with a framework that balances objective data with local values to benefit visitors and gateway communities alike."
Collaborative Impact
SF&A will work closely with the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, the National Park Service, and a dedicated Community Action Team. The project is scheduled for completion by January 2027, culminating in a comprehensive Conditions Report and a complete ArcGIS dataset for the Foundation's use.
About Shane Farthing & Associates
Shane Farthing & Associates is a development advisory firm that helps communities and institutions strategize, align, and execute complex initiatives. With a focus on trails as a central pillar of practice, SF&A specializes in transforming recreational assets into quantifiable economic drivers.
About the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation
The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation is the primary 501(c)(3) non-profit partner of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Through the Blue Ridge Rising initiative, the Foundation works to unite the Parkway's 29 counties to support regional economic development and resource protection.
