HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Henrico County leaders announced plans Thursday to preserve the land with the New Market Heights Trail, marking the battle's 162nd anniversary. County officials gathered with partners and friends on Thursday, Oct. 1, to commemorate the history and announce plans to pre serve the land with the New Market Heights Trail on the anniversary of the battle on Sept. 29, 1864. “Today, we are announcing the next chapter in how Henrico helps preserve and share these stories,” said Varina District Supervisor Tyrone E. Nelson at Tuesday's ceremony. “Imagine looking across the wetlands and walking beneath the trees knowing you’re part of a large story. Imagine standing on the very riverbank where soldiers came ashore before dawn, moving toward a battle that would become an important chapter in the history of the United States.” (Photo: Henrico County Government)(Photo: Henrico County Government)(Photo: Henrico County Government)(Photo: Henrico County Government)(Photo: Henrico County Government)(Photo: Henrico County Government) The 3.2-mile, shared-use trail will begin in Deep Bottom Park and take users to Four Mile Creek Park at New Market Road, according to city officials. On Sept. 29, 1864, units of the USCT under Butler entered the area now known as Deep Bottom Park in Henrico from the James River and attacked the Confederate defenses along New Market Road. General Ulysses S. Grant ordered the attack to pressure Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee and force his troops away from the defenses around Petersburg. Partner agencies, such as the National Park Service, the American Battlefield Trust, the Battle of New Market Heights Memorial and Educational Association, the Capital Region Land Conservancy and the Richmond Battlefields Association, have already completed the trail concept plan detailing how it will memorialize the history and conserve the land. The project was recently awarded a $2.5 million grant from the Commonwealth Transportation Board to support design development. The trail will begin construction in 2027.  ...read more read less