BECKLEY, W.Va. (WCHS) — Just off one of the busiest roads in Beckley, you'll find an oasis.

Piney Creek Preserve came to be in 2019 after 614 acres was acquired by the West Virginia Land Trust as part of a mining settlement.

Since then, it's only gotten better.

"Opening a new trail that goes to a beautiful natural rock overlook that overlooks the creek, and so as of right now, it's primarily hiking - but we do have future plans to incorporate a mountain bike trail system on the northern end of the preserve," director of outdoor economic development for the city of Beckley Mitch Lehman said.

Brent Bailey, executive director of the West Virginia Land Trust, said it's going to appease many who love the outdoors.

"It's going to be great for fishing, for hiking and for mountain biking, just to come by and sit by the waterfalls and spend an afternoon. This is what we want. West Virginians are tied to the outdoors. They want to get outside, and if we can find a way to help them do it, and especially do it with great partners, like in the city of Beckley, we're all about it."

Piney Creek eventually tumbles down into the New River more than 1,000 feet below. This makes it a hotspot for waterfalls, even along the tributaries that feed it.

"The two main attractions at the Piney Creek Preserve are two waterfalls that we have. They're actually on the West Virginia Department of Tourism's Waterfall Trail. We have Little Whitestick Falls, and then the Cranberry Creek Cascades. They're beautiful. They run frequently, and it's really accessible", said Lehman.

Protecting this drainage basin also improves drinking water and water quality in general.

"Other communities are green with envy about what Beckley has right in its own backyard, and I think many people may not even understand the natural beauty that is right here, but it is a refuge. It's an escape, and it's going to have miles and miles of trails that people can really enjoy, ideally, eventually, over the long term, it'll connect to the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve," Bailey said.

Lehman said it will only help the local and state economy more.

"It's a true testament to West Virginia's revitalization and moving from resource-based extraction industries and focusing more on the tourism aspect," Lehman said. "Our state has so much natural beauty to offer, and so converting some of these former abandoned mine land sites is just going to breathe new life into our outdoor recreation economy and provide more places for people to come and recreate."

You can learn more about Piney Creek Preserve and all the other properties The West Virginia Land Trust manages on its website and Facebook page.