Trail Event, Saturday, April 26

Paul's Ride for Life 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Registration open 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Ride (rolling start) 11:30 a.m. Closing ceremony & raffle drawing Folks can also volunteer to marshall or help otherwise by emailing paulsridevolunteers@gmail.com.

Second meeting on proposal for education building and public restrooms

A second meeting will be held tonight to discuss the proposal for Phoenix Bikes to build a new education building and public restrooms on Walter Reed Dr. The meeting is at 7pm at Park Operations Building, 2700 South Taylor St, Arlington. Why not attend to hear more about the project?

Coming to the W&OD near MP 0... just saw this, so it's after the meeting, but still a good thing to have down at that end.

Restoration Complete?

The depot at Old Reston Avenue looks like it is finally restored. For years its foundation was crumbling and the building sagged. It now has a new foundation, floor, door, and paint. The Park Authority has yet to announce their plans for this building. One trail user suggested that it should be open on weekends housing a volunteer historian that would talk about railroad and trail history. Another user suggested that the Friends use it as concession stand to raise money for trail improvements. Perhaps the Park Authority should hear more ideas?

Trail Event - October 12

Title: CATOCTIN Crescent Assoc. 5K Run, 1K Walk Date: Saturday October 12, 2013. Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. Location: Douglas School, Market St., Leesburg. Notes: Out to Battlefield Parkway and back on W&OD.

Clearing of invasive plants along trail

"A portion of land along the W&OD Trail near Bon Air Park may look rather rough after having been stripped of plant life over the past few weeks. But it’s actually part of the county’s plan to restore the land." See Arlington Now article at http://www.arlnow.com/2013/10/04/land-restoration-project-along-wod-trail/

Jogger and Cyclist Suffer Life-Threatening Injuries in Trail Crash

Jogger and Cyclist Suffer Life-Threatening Injuries in Trail Crash Posted: 02 Oct 2013 12:14 PM PDT By FALLS CHURCH CITY OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS and FALLS CHURCH TIMES STAFF October 2, 2013 A jogger and a cyclist, both enjoying the Falls Church City section of the Washington & Old Dominion Trail, collided on Sunday near Little Falls Street and suffered life-threatening injuries, police say. The incident occurred shortly after noon. It remains under investigation, but initial reports received by police say it happened when the jogger attempted to pass people walking and was hit by a cyclist traveling the opposite direction. Both are still being treated at local hospitals. Falls Church City Police Chief Mary Gavin announced the additional deployment of bicycle and motorcycle officers along the trail to promote education and enforcement of park and traffic laws. Officials say an increase in usage of the trail, from casual walking to commuting via bicycle, has created more risk for hazards and accidents to occur. Another possible reason the risk is rising is the frequent failure of many users to follow the trail rules. Cyclists frequently ride too fast and weave in and out of pedestrians, and some pedestrians walk on the wrong side. "I am deeply worried and afraid for my safety when I am on the trail and users are not following the rules," said Cricket Moore, an avid trail user and City resident. In response to the influx of concerns, Falls Church Police were awarded a $2,400 safety grant from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles specifically to deploy officers for traffic education and enforcement in shared-use areas such as the W&OD Trail. City Police encourage the safe use of the trail and emphasize that traffic control signs, including stop signs, are in place to regulate the trail traffic. Stop signs on the trail are enforced through the Code of Virginia §46.2-924 and Falls Church City Code Section 26-109. The 1.5 mile section of the trail within the City of Falls Church is unique in that it crosses roadways several times, causing cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists to encounter one another far more often that on other stretches of the trail. Police remind trail users that cyclists are required to wear helmets, stop at stop signs, and announce when they are passing. They also suggest users move off the trail if they choose to stop. Additionally, they warn that racing or competitive speed training is not permitted on the trail; that pedestrians have the right of way unless otherwise posted; and that users should ride at speeds appropriate for the trail's congested nature.

Trail Event, Sunday September 29

Teddy BEAR 5K & 1K Fun Walk/RUN Date: Sunday September 29, 2013 Time: 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Location: American Legion Post 130, 400 Oak St., Falls Church

Major trail event on September 15

Green Lizard Cycling of Herndon will be hosting their 1st annual Fun Ride Bike-A-Thon on Sunday September 15th 2013. This ride is to support the Herndon High School’s The Pride of Herndon Marching Band as they prepare for their upcoming appearance in the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade in Waikiki, Hawaii on December 7, 2013. The half century ride will start and finish at Green Lizard Cycling in Historic Downtown Herndon and will follow the Washington & Old Dominion Trail from Herndon to Purcellville and back. Riders may also choose an abbreviated 25 mile ride which will turn around in Leesburg on the same W&OD Trail. The ride is supported with rest stops, water, bike mechanics and medical assistance if necessary.

Trail Lighting in Herndon

The Herndon Town Council will hold a public hearing on the lighting of the Washington and Old Dominion (W&OD) trail in the Town of Herndon on Tuesday, September 24th in the Ingram Council Chambers, 765 Lynn Street. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. Following a presentation by the engineering consultants, JMT, Council will be asked to approve the project and direct staff to proceed with procurement and installation. The public is welcome to provide written comments in advance, c/o the Town Clerk, PO Box 427, Herndon, VA 20172 or to town.clerk@herndon-va.gov. In addition, the public may speak that evening for up to three minutes when this item is called. The Council will discuss this item at their work session on Tuesday, September 17th in the Hoover conference room at the same address above. This is an open, public meeting which you are also welcome to attend, however there are no comments from the audience permitted at work sessions. If you have any questions or comments before that date, please feel free to contact: Cindy S. Roeder Director, Parks and Recreation Department 703-435-6800 x2123 fax 703-318-8652

Trail Event for Sunday, Sept 8

Whole Foods Kids 1K & Trail Cleanup. Date: Sunday September 8, 2013. Time: 7:00 am - 11:00 am. Location: Vienna & Reston. Notes: Whole Foods in Reston and Vienna will be doing a Kids 1K run and a trail clean up. Run will start and end in Vienna; cleanup will be along the trail between Vienna and Reston.

Gallows Road crossing light

VDOT is aware of the long cycle time of the trail crossing signal at Gallows and is working on it.

Tail Event--Sunday. September 22

The Herndon Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring its 2nd annual Herndon Kids Triathlon on Sunday 9/22 starting at the Herndon Community Center, 814 Ferndale Ave, at 7am. Contact Thomas Schoenauer (thomas.schoenauer@herndon-va.gov) with any questions. Sign up online at sign-up genius for this event: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050E4DAEAA2CA46-herndon.

Trail Paving scheduled

Just a heads up that the trail is scheduled to be repaved starting August 19th from Crestview Drive in Herndon to Private Drive in Reston (one block west of Isaac Newton).

Trail Event on Sunday August 25

Reston Bike Club Century Date: Sunday August 25, 2013 Time: 6:30 am - 5:30 pm (GMT-05.00) Eastern Time (US & Canada) Location: eastbound W&OD Leesburg-Reston Notes: Sunday August 22nd Reston Century Event from 6:30 AM to 5 PM. Approximately 1200 riders start at Reston Town Center. The portion of the W&OD used for this event is from Grace Street in Herndon to Ashburn Road (westbound leg) and returning from Leesburg to Reston Town Center via trail in its entirety (eastbound leg).

Progress being made on Old Reston Ave Station Restoration

Trail Event Saturday, July 27

The WOD Friends 10 k event (for runners and walkers), will be held this Saturday, 27 July, starting at Centennial Park, 131 Church Street in Vienna. After the preliminaries, the event will get under way at about 6:30 pm. The route will run on the trail from Church St west to Clark's Crossing (ca mm 13.3?), where it will leave the trail for a short bit on the road before returning to the trail, then out to Hunter Mill Rd and a turn around and back to the finish at Ayr Hill Rd in Vienna.

Major trail event on September 15

Green Lizard Cycling of Herndon will be hosting their 1st annual Fun Ride Bike-A-Thon on Sunday September 15th 2013. This ride is to support the Herndon High School’s The Pride of Herndon Marching Band as they prepare for their upcoming appearance in the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade in Waikiki, Hawaii on December 7, 2013. The half century ride will start and finish at Green Lizard Cycling in Historic Downtown Herndon and will follow the Washington & Old Dominion Trail from Herndon to Purcellville and back. Riders may also choose an abbreviated 25 mile ride which will turn around in Leesburg on the same W&OD Trail. The ride is supported with rest stops, water, bike mechanics and medical assistance if necessary.

Friday, May 17 Trail event

Expect to see very heavy use of the trail doing morning and evening hours as thousand of individuals cycle to work. Bike to Work Day information can be found at http://www.biketoworkmetrodc.org/; including locations of the pit stops. Register to get a free BTWD t-shirt at the pitstop of your choice.

Trail Event for April 27

Paul's Ride For Life Date: Saturday April 27, 2013 Time: 7:00 am - 2:00 pm (GMT+00:00) Notes: Sat., April 27, 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Ride a 10-, 20-, or 50-mile course along the Washington & Old Dominion Trail, between Reston and Purcellville, for the fifth annual Paul's Ride for Life, a WABA event partnership. Registration starts at 7 a.m. at Reston Town Center. Registration proceeds and donations will go to the Wasington Regional Transplant Community.

Falls Church Patch Reported

Now that spring weather is finally here, many people are taking to the W&OD Trail on foot and bicycle. With more than two million users traveling along the trail annually, there are several chances for accidents. In August, a cyclist traveling along the trail through the City of Falls Church was injured when he collided with a car where the trail and Great Falls Street intersect. Falls Church City Police Officer James Brooks said the cyclist didn’t stop at the intersection and was determined to be at fault. The cyclist wasn’t severely injured and Brooks hopes no one cycling along the trail ever is. “If I’m here for an hour or so, I can give out four to five tickets to cyclists for failing to stop at the intersections,” Brooks said. Brooks is one of the city’s four certified bicycle officers. The group patrols around the Eden Center and throughout the city including along the portion of the W&OD Trail that goes through Falls Church. According to Falls Church City law, a cyclist can be given a $25 ticket for biking with headphone earplugs in both ears, speeding or not wearing a helmet if you are 14-years-old or younger, among other violations. Under state law, cyclists can be fined for not stopping at a stop sign intersecting with a road. There are no official records of accidents along the trail. Dozens of cyclists zipped along the W&OD Trail in Falls Church Wednesday, most of them stopping where the trail intersects with Grove Avenue. One cyclist continued through the intersection without stopping and would have continued on her journey if not for Brooks stopping her to give her a warning. “The reason we ask them to stop is for safety,” Brooks said. “There is some confusion because they don’t realize they need to come to a complete stop.” Karl Mohle, park manager for the W&OD Trail – which is owned and operated by the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority – said there are about 75 people in the volunteer trail patrol – all from the Friends of the W&OD Trail – that are out daily enforcing rules and helping with minor bicycle repairs. These days, Mohle said the trail is filled with people out enjoying the weather. He said people should be courteous of others and traffic laws while using the trail. “Try to go easy, a lot of people are in a rush,” Mohle said. “People want to go out after being cooped up all winter.” For City of Falls Church laws for cyclists, click here. For statewide laws for cyclists, click here. Related Topics: City of Falls Church Police Department, W&OD Trail, W&OD Trail patrol, and northern virginia regional park authority

Belmont Ridge Road crossing

From VDOT: (Photos by Bob Evens, Trail Patorller) In case you were not aware, I wanted to let you know that today we turned on the RRFB (rectangular rapid-flashing beacon) at Belmont Ridge Rd. and the W&OD Trail. Attached is a photo of the device in operation. It is our first RRFB in Loudoun County. The RRFB is designed to flash in a quick alternating pattern when trail users press a button. The project includes flashers at the crosswalk and about 500 feet in advance in both directions, so drivers get plenty of advance warning when a trail user is present. This week we will start a fairly intensive round of field data collection, helping us understand how motorists and trail users react to the new device. The data collection will occur a few additional times during the next year to see what changes occur over time. We will also be able to compare the results with similar data collected after the zig-zag markings were installed in 2009. Following are a few points we want trail users and drivers to know: For trail users: · Trail users need to press the pushbutton to activate the flashing lights. Cyclists usually can press the buttons without dismounting, and they are within convenient reach of pedestrians as well. Studies from other areas have shown that drivers yield to trail users as much as four times as often when lights flash only "on demand". · Trail users should continue to wait for a safe gap in traffic before proceeding across the road. The flashing lights do not guarantee that motorists will stop. For drivers: · When the lights are flashing, drivers can be sure a trail user is nearby, and they should be prepared to yield or encounter stopped vehicles as they approach the crosswalk. Not all trail users will press the button to activate the flashers, so motorists should continue to be alert as they approach the crossing even when the lights are not flashing. Randy Dittberner, P.E., PTOE · Regional Traffic Engineer · Virginia Department of Transportation · Northern Region · 4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax, VA, 22030 · 703-259-2353 · randy.dittberner@vdot.virginia.gov

Construction Activities Along Trail

According to the "W&OD FLYER" In the coming weeks there will be a couple of projects along the trail, which are as follows: The section of trail from approximately Crestview Drive in the Town of Herndon to Private Drive in Reston is tentatively scheduled to be repaved. Exact locations are to be determined but the work is slated to start later this spring. Repaving of Oak Street in Falls Church is scheduled to begin the week of April 15th. Please note that the road (not the trail in this section) is to be repaved. The work is anticipated to take about one week from start to finish. Please exercise caution at these project locations once they begin. If you have any questions contact the trail office at (703) 729-0596.

Old Reston Ave Depot Restoration

As you can see from the photos the footings/foundation and flooring all have to be replaced.

Old Reston Ave RR structure Renovations Begin

After years of the building sinking and decaying, renovations have finally begun to save this W&OD structure.

Extended Hours Details

Friday, March 1, 2013 W&OD Trail Announces Extended Hours The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority is excited to announce that for the very first time, cyclists and pedestrians will now have access to the W&OD Trail beyond normal daylight hours. This extended hours program goes into affect as of today, March 1, 2013. The new W&OD Trail hours are from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., from Shirlington in Arlington County, all the way to the western town limit of Herndon in Fairfax County. Previously, the trail was considered off limits once the sun set. “I am happy to see that NVRPA sees the W&OD as the premiere bike route in the region,” said Allen Muchnick, a board member at the Virginia Bicycling Federation. “This pilot program will help many cyclists that want to use their bikes for transportation and not just recreation.” NVRPA has accordingly created a few new rules to ensure that the extended hours are as safe as possible for its users. For cyclists, riders are required to wear reflective clothing that can be easily seen from the front and rear. All bicycles must be equipped with at least one white headlight light that is visible in clear weather from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and a red reflector visible from 600 feet to the rear. Additionally bicycles must be equipped with a taillight visible from a distance of at least 500 feet. This taillight may be affixed to the bicycle or rider and may be steady or blinking. Pedestrians, are required to wear reflective clothing that can be easily seen from the front and rear and must carry a light or wear a flashing light. In addition, NVRPA notes that exceptional care should be taken when crossing highways including obeying all laws and posted signage. Trail users are also required to follow all existing rules and regulations governing the use the trail. “As we all look for ways to reduce our carbon footprint, and improve both our health and environment, cycling to work is one great option. We want to be part of the solution, and help make this kind of healthy choice an option,” said NVPRA Executive Director Paul Gilbert. “Making the W&OD available during commuting hours is a significant step in the movement to encourage more non-motorized transportation.” NVRPA has posted nearly a dozen signs along the extended hours route to help make riders and pedestrians aware of the rules governing the new hours.

Extended Use Hours for Trail

New signs have appeared along the trail announcing extended hours and rules for using the trail during those hours--lights and reflectors for both cyclists and walkers.

Saturday, April 27 Event

Paul's Ride for Life Ride a 10-, 20-, or 50-mile course along the Washington & Old Dominion Trail, between Reston and Purcellville, for the fifth annual Paul's Ride for Life, a WABA event partnership. Registration starts at 7 a.m. at Reston Town Center. Registration proceeds and donations will go to the Wasington Regional Transplant Community. Date: Sat., April 27 Time: 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Location: Reston Town Center

Railroad history and pictures

A new book on the W&OD railroad has been issued. “Images of Rail: Washington & Old Dominion Railroad” written by David A. Guillaudeu with the forward by Paul E. McCray (former Park Manager). The book contains a great history of the railroad and lots of pictures. It is well worth checking out.

March 24th Trail Event in Falls Church

5th annual Walter L. Mess W&OD TRAIL 5K Sunday, March 24, 2013 - 4:00 pm On Washington & Old Dominion Trail from Oak Street to Shreve Road to Little Falls Street and back Start & finish at American Legion Post 130 400 North Oak Street, Falls Church, Virginia In honor of the 100th birthday of Walter L. Mess, chairman emeritus of Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority www.SafetyAndHealthFoundation.org/wod

Woman assaulted on Trail

Reported assault on trail. See Reston Patch article: http://reston.patch.com/articles/police-woman-assaulted-on-w-od-trail

Trail Improvements Recommend for Falls Church

Through 2012 the Citizens Advisory Committee on Transportation studied ways to improve the trail within the City Limits. They recommend safety improvements, additional shelters, aesthetic enhancements, and better signage directing trail users to City businesses and services. Their report can be read at http://fallschurch-va.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=431.

Proposed changes in Herndon

A recent post on the Friends web page outlines proposed changes to the trail in Herndon. The Department of Parks and Recreation of the Town of Herndon seeks public comment on its submission of a Recreation and Trails Program (RTP) grant application to the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. At a future date, when the comment period has passed (after 9/25/12), a public hearing concerning the matter will be held. Through the installation of lighting, this project, identified in the Town’s Capital Improvement Program for Fiscal Years 2013-2017, seeks to facilitate the nighttime use of segments of the Washington and Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail in the Town of Herndon. Approximately 50 light posts, in addition to the number of above-ground transformers needed to power them, are to be installed along the Trail in order to illuminate 3,800 feet of a 2.4 mile section in the Town of Herndon -- that portion which extends from Ferndale Avenue to Van Buren Street. All required wiring will be placed underground, and the lights will be equipped with timing devices in order to regulate their hours of operation. During a second phase of the project, approximately 30 more lights will be installed along an additional 2,200 feet (from Ferndale Avenue to Crestview Drive). The type of lighting fixture and the locations of the poles will be made available when the engineering design is initiated. The public may submit comments on this proposed project between 8/23/12 and 9/25/12 at 5:00 p.m. The Department of Parks and Recreation will accept these comments by postal mail (Town of Herndon Parks and Recreation, c/o W&OD Trail Lighting, Project PO Box 427, Herndon, VA 20172), fax (703-318-8652), or e-mail. All comments (1) must be made in writing, (2) must be received during the designated period, and (3) must include the name, mailing address, and telephone number of not only the commenter but also (if applicable) of any persons represented by him/her.