Supporting Railroad Park

Tiny Tim’s Trains & Toys proudly supports Downtown Ashland Association’s initiative to establish the Mid-Atlantic Railroad Park. Owner Suzanne Hemingway contributed financially toward the Park’s construction and looks forward to greeting new visitors attracted by the Park.

“Thousands of cars pass by Ashland daily on I-95, where many get off for fuel and a quick bite to eat without knowing what lies west,” Hemingway stated. “Railroad Park will help entice visitors to downtown. I knew that I needed to get behind this, not just because of my businesses affiliation with trains, but to highlight the importance of community and advancement.” Hemingway looks forward to the positive economic impacts of Railroad Park, and hopes it will attract people who may not be familiar with Downtown Ashland.

Russel Youens, Suzanne’s business partner at Tiny Tim’s Trains & Toys, is best known for his vast knowledge of both model and real-life trains. Youens looks forward to Railroad Park to serve as entertainment, and believes it will highlight important historical moments in railroad history. “I whole heartedly embrace and support this effort to secure the Mid- Atlantic Railroad Park and plan to make a monetary contribution,” said Youens. “Any endeavor that will both celebrate trains and educate the public is more than positive.”

The Tiny Tim’s Trains & Toys team: Sonja Myers (left), Suzanne Hemingway (center), and Russell Youens (right)

The whole team at Tiny Tim’s Trains & Toys is eager to share the unique railfan culture of Ashland with travelers. “Ashland has always been a place to meet, a place to greet, and a place to share,” says Hemingway. “Railroad Park will further elevate this message by allowing people from all over to enjoy this contribution.”

To learn more and support the creation of the Mid-Atlantic Railroad Park in Downtown Ashland, please visit ashlandvirginia.com/railroad.

Volunteer Spotlight

Sara Holloway is serving her sixth year on our Board of Directors. In a recent interview, she shared insights on her roles with two beloved non-profits, Downtown Ashland Association and Hanover Arts & Activities Association.

“This organization is bridging the gap between the town’s people, the town's government, and the businesses,” says Holloway of Downtown Ashland Association. Her volunteerism helps build community connections. Holloway writes the Association’s “Get Centered” monthly email newsletter and helps to organize seasonal events in Downtown Ashland.

The importance of community connections is also a part of Holloway’s professional role as executive director of Hanover Arts & Activities Center. The non-profit cares for an historic building at 500 S. Railroad Avenue and supports arts, education, and community in Ashland. Holloway reports that she is motivated by The Center’s arts and theater youth programs and enjoys promoting the arts within our community.

Downtown Ashland Association is grateful for Sara Holloway’s volunteerism and advocacy for the arts. Her work as a community builder keeps our organization on-track.

Guide for Trick-or-Treating in Ashland

Like so many things this year, trick-or-treating in Ashland will be different in 2020 due to COVID-19. But with preparation and a little extra patience, we can still celebrate the spookiest and most sweets-filled night of the year!

Ashland Halloween will take place Saturday, October 31, 2020 from 5-7pm. Visit AshlandHalloween.com for more information and a map of Halloween Hosts. (The map will be available by October 30.)

Here are Downtown Ashland Association’s tips to help all the aliens, vampires, witches, and superheroes plan a safe Halloween 2020.

1. Keep it Local

To keep everyone safe, Halloween must be a lowkey affair in 2020. Local kids will walk Ashland streets to residents’ homes. And we hope neighbors in other areas will make the same efforts for their local children.

2. Spread Out

In recent years, Center Street has become Ashland’s Halloween headquarters, but this year crowding is discouraged in popular locations to ensure everyone’s safety. Trick-or-treaters are invited to visit the many residential neighborhoods around town.

3. Pack a Mask

Trick-or-Treaters will be decked out in their Halloween masks, and we encourage adults accompanying children and Halloween Hosts to wear masks too. Wearing a mask improves safety in those moments when social distancing may be difficult.

4. Respect Distance

Some members of our community may not feel comfortable welcoming trick-or-treaters this year. Please only approach homes that are listed as Halloween Hosts and displaying Ashland Halloween yard signs. Do not ring doorbells or knock on doors.

5. Wait Your Turn

We know it’s hard to wait when it comes to chocolate! But for your safety and that of others, please use patience. If another trickster is collecting their treat, please wait your turn and give everyone six feet of space.

Downtown Ashland Association is looking forward to another spook-tastic (though slightly different) Halloween in the Center of the Universe. Thank you in advance for supporting the community by following our safety guidelines to make Halloween fun for everyone!

Ashland Halloween Update

Downtown Ashland Association is organizing trick-or-treating from 5-7pm on October 31 with a few extra precautions for safety from COVID-19.

We will publish a map of Ashland residences offering outdoor, socially distant trick-or-treating at AshlandHalloween.com by October 30. We will also place a yard sign in front of each participating residence. Trick-or-treaters are invited to follow the map and yard signs for a fun, safe Halloween!

To date, 150 Halloween Hosts have added their address to the trick-or-treating map. Thank you, Ashland!

Please continue to spread the word amongst your neighbors: Add your address to the map at AshlandHalloween.com! We hope to have many Halloween Hosts in every neighborhood.

Snippet of the trick-or-treating map to date

Supporting Railroad Park

Tom Wulf, founder of WulfTeam Productions and long-time supporter of Downtown Ashland Association, is helping to enhance and promote the town with the advent of a walking museum.

Tom Wulf on location with WulfTeam Productions

Wulf served as a board member, president, and executive director of Downtown Ashland Association in the past. He now leads the volunteer committee working to establish a Railroad Park.

The project plan is to create new exhibits for train and history fans, while highlighting important structures and locations within Downtown Ashland.  Ashland Train Station, the steam train mural, Ashland Museum, and the Red Caboose are among planned attractions in the Park.

“There are so many different train and railroad exhibits here, yet no one has ever thought to group them together,” Wulf explained. “This is our opportunity to expand upon what we already have and make it greater.” Wulf states that Railroad Park would contribute significantly towards the Downtown Ashland economy, and make the town a more popular tourist site.

 

Video explanation of the project, produced by Tom Wulf

 

The Railroad Park project will take several phases to complete, so Wulf’s current priority is raising funding. He notes that Mary Morton Parsons Foundation granted $50,000 towards the project, so long as Downtown Ashland Association can raise matching donations by November 30, 2020. This funding will help buy displays and signage for the exhibits of Railroad Park. Wulf further notes that Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has approved Railroad Park for signage on interstate 95, which would be put in place after the project is fully constructed.

“We have secured over $40,000 needed to match the grant,” says Wulf. “The positive impact Railroad Park will have on Downtown Ashland is both economic and personal. These rails have been the roots of Ashland since its founding. It’s time we further embrace that.”

If you wish to donate or learn more about Railroad Park, please visit ashlandvirginia.com/railroad.

Photos by Tom Wulf