Waynesboro City Council unanimously approved a resolution to support city staff in gaining recognition as an official Appalachian Trail Community on October 25, 2011.  This designation would officially recognize the ongoing partnership between the city of Waynesboro and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and provide the city with promotional and economic development support.  Benefits of this designation are numerous and Waynesboro is the perfect fit.  As Waynesboro Downtown Development Inc.’s Executive Director Kimberly Watters noted, downtown is already very hiker-friendly, and the city’s trail angel program receives rave reviews  from hikers year after year.

Harrisonburg and VMS affiliate Pearisburg are two of only three communities in Virginia with this designation, and VMS looks forward to adding Waynesboro to this list.  Other communities along the Appalachian Trail should consider applying to be a designated community as well. This brochure and application lays out all the benefits of partnering with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.