Abingdon has made great strides in its goal to become more walkable with the official opening of the Urban Pathway, a mixed use recreation trail running through the downtown district.  The Town of Abingdon will celebrate the opening with a free community kickoff event, happening Friday April 12, 2019 from 11am to 2pm.  The event will also kickoff the Urban Pathway Corporate Challenge, co-sponsored by Ballad Health, Food City, Town of Abingdon and Washington County Chamber of Commerce, which encourages local businesses of all sizes are to enter and to challenge their employees to walk – on the Urban Pathway, Virginia Creeper Trail, around the block or on the treadmill.

The Abingdon Urban Pathway runs for 1.625 miles east-west from Tanner Street to the Abingdon Muster Grounds, and is open to pedestrians and bicycles. It intersects with the trailhead of the Virginia Creeper Trail on Green Spring Road, which runs north/south.  Between the Creeper Trail and Urban Pathway, this trail system makes it possible to get almost anywhere in Town without hitting a major traffic artery, which is especially appealing families with kids and strollers.

The kickoff for the Urban Pathway Corporate Challenge will take place Friday, April 12th from 11am to 2pm at the Abingdon Market Pavilion on Remsburg Drive.  The Market Pavilion is located right on the Urban Pathway so guests can be some of the first to walk the path. 

Ballad Health will provide free health screenings and blood pressure checks, opportunities to speak with physicians, free giveaways, and healthy snack ideas.  Food City will provide giveaways.

The Urban Pathway Corporate Challenge will kickoff on April 12th, and continue through July 15, 2019.  The Challenge is meant to encourage more activity (miles walked) on the Pathway and throughout town, as a way to better health.  Each participant will be responsible for tracking their own steps throughout the Challenge, and the winner will be announced at the July breakfast meeting of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce. The winning company will be presented with the Corporate Challenge Trophy.

The Abingdon Urban Path System will cater to pedestrians and bicyclists, through a series of paths and sidewalks that weave 1.625 miles through the town, allowing people to walk from one end of town to the other.  The path will enable citizens, as well as tourists to walk or bike to restaurants, attractions, shops and events, as well as making it easier to take more steps, and make healthier choices.

The Urban Pathway has been over five years in the making, and would not have been possible without the Town's commitment and the cooperation of property owners along the Pathway.