Dr. William Blackley is an Elkin resident of 45 years and a well-known family physician. He and fellow physicians started the Elkin and Jonesville Family Medicine practices and he retired at age 65. He has volunteered with or contributed to the Boy Scouts of America, Rotary Club, Elkin Presbyterian Church, VFW, Mountains-to-Sea Trail, Overmountain Victory Trail, Elkin Valley Trails Association, Tri-County Soccer League, Watershed Now, Friends of Elkin Creek and has been a short-term football team physician, county coroner, Chief of Staff of Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital, and more.
Dr. Blackley has been a strong supporter of Explore Elkin, Yadkin Valley Strong and Yadkin Valley United Fund. In the Fall of 2011, the Elkin Valley Trails Association (EVTA) was founded by a group of about 40 people who at the time called their group “Vibrant Elkin.” Dr. Blackley was one of the founders and the first chairperson of the association. He no longer holds a position as chairperson but is an advisor/facilitator within the organization.
There were three goals the “Vibrant Elkin” volunteers wanted to accomplish in order to help the Elkin Town Commissioners and Staff by volunteering to stretch tax dollars. These were: (1)To improve the entry between Jonesville and Elkin, (2) To help recruit new businesses and (3) To build a trail system and greenway and part of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail.
Since EVTA began, more than 27 bridges from 6 to 178-ft have been built and more than 26 miles of trails have been upgraded or built from scratch. The trails accommodate those with varying skill levels and abilities and include hiking, biking, horseback riding trails and yes, stroller pushing.
The EVTA is an all-volunteer organization and anyone who helps is a member. There are no dues. Annually the EVTA has thousands of volunteer service hours planning, writing grants, fundraising, building and maintaining bridges and trails, attending meetings, corresponding, etc. There are sculptures, gongs, and history and nature signs along many well-marked trails. Volunteer helpers have included high school seniors, church groups, Interact and Beta Clubs, football and basketball teams (men and women) and Scouts who have built signage, kiosks, trails, stairs, bridges, etc. Some individuals have personally funded building unique sections of trail and donations such as this are tax deductible since EVTA is a 501 (c) 3 organization.
The EVTA has a board of ten members who meet every month to coordinate activities and Bill is an ex officio member of that Board. This encourages participation by younger members and allows the board to green up. The current Chairperson is Jason Taylor with Bob Hillyer, Dee Neal and Megan Stainback making up the Executive Board.
The EVTA website can be found at:
It can be costly and time and labor consuming to keep trails maintained and to continue to expansion for the enjoyment of locals and visitors. The EVTA gets a majority of their funds from grants, donations, t-shirt and gear sales, and fundraising events. The grants that the EVTA has applied for have helped fund large bridges on the trails that were crucial to trail expansion. Every year the EVTA hosts a Tour de Vino bicycle ride to raise money. EVTA has an online store to boost their sales of tee-shirts and gear. Donations of ideas, time, labor and money are greatly appreciated for maintenance and momentum.
Dr. Blackley and the EVTA members welcome anyone who is willing to give or volunteer to enhance and maintain the trails and to contribute to the common good of the greater Surry, Wilkes and Yadkin community.
9/11 workday - pre COVID-19
Elkin & Alleghany Rails-to-Trails work party. Please note the COVID-19 family bubbles.
Wells Knob work day - Pre COVID-19
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