Uptown Connector Park and Trail

Elevation: 999 ft.

The woodland in downtown Martinsville is composed primarily of oaks, maples and hickory with yellow poplar, sycamore and sassafras making an occasional appearance. These woods line the old railway line that winds itself through central Martinsville. As elsewhere in Virginia, the conversion of old railway lines into hiking and biking trails has been highly successful. This paved, 0.6 mile long trail is the perfect route for a light walk, run, or bike ride. It can also be used as an access point to the 6.5 mile Dick & Willie Passage Rail Trail as well as the 0.5 mile Silver Bell Trail. Birds to anticipate in the area include mourning dove, chimney swift, red-bellied and downy woodpeckers, eastern phoebe, eastern bluebird, eastern towhee, chipping and song sparrows, and red-winged blackbird. Visitors in spring and fall can anticipate additional migrant passerines. Side woodlands along the trail and their associated wildflowers support a variety of butterflies as well. These could include eastern tiger, pipevine and spicebush, swallowtails, eastern buckeye, pearl crescent, silver-spotted skimmer and eastern-tailed blue.