Connector Trail to open Oct 25

The Meadow Lark Garden Connector Trail is scheduled to open the weekend of October 25. This connector trail is near mile marker 14.5; between Vienna and Hunter Mill Road. 1.5 miles long, the Meadowlark Connector Trail provides a link to the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. This trail section is paved. Getting to the Gardens from the connector requires using a short road ssection. The 95-acre Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, open daily year-round. Walking paths wind around ponds, native trees, wildflowers, a butterfly garden, a Korean cultural garden, and many other visual sites.

Trail Paving results in gravel detour

Paving has begun from Crestview west and trail users from west being detoured to gravel at Sterling Road. Skinny tire bikes can't negotiate there well.

Evening Trail Event--Tuesday, Sept 9th

The Mayor and Town Council of the Town of Herndon cordially invite you to attend a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to celebrate the Washington and Old Dominion Trail lighting project Tuesday, September 9, 2014 8 o’clock in the evening W&OD trail at the Herndon Caboose (near 765 Lynn Street, Herndon)

Trail Event--Sunday, August 17

Just a heads up on the Leesburg 5k/20k being held this coming Sunday 8/17 starting at 7:30AM. Runners will be using the W&OD trail between mm 34 in Leesburg and 39.5 at Paeonian Springs so the area will be extremely congested.

Trail Event--Sunday, August 24

RBC Century Date: Sunday August 24, 2014 Time: 6:30 am - 5:00 pm Location: eastbound W&OD Leesburg-Reston Notes: Sunday August 24nd 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).

Trail Event for May 24

Civil War hike in Reston from Wiehle Avenue to Hunter Mill Road. This is the monthly hike conducted by 12 Civil War enthusiasts from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Another Trail Event for May 17

Turtle Trot 5k in Arlington from 8 AM to 1 PM. 250 runners expected for this event and the route will be from Bluemont Park out west to area of Madison Manor Park (near pedestrian bridge over I-66) and returning to Bluemont Park.

Trail Event for May 17

Spinal Research Foundation "We've Got Your Back Run" from 8 AM to 11 AM. 800 participants expected and the route will be from NVCC in Reston (off the trail) down to Sunrise Valley Drive (off the trail) and returning to NVCC. Not all the trail will be used for the event.

Trail Event for May 10

Green Lizard Bike-a-thon from 9 AM to 6 PM. 250 participants expected and the route will be from Herndon to Purcellville and back.

Trail Event May 16th

Expect heavy trail usage for Bike-to-Work day on Friday, May 16th.

April Trail Events

* St. John's Millenium Bike Ride on April 5th (Saturday). 30 riders cycling from Vienna to Reston and returning to Vienna. Event from 9 AM to 12 noon. * Family 5k and Fun Run on April 6th (Sunday). 325 runners starting in area of Ayr Hill Road (off of the trail), entering trail at Mill Street (near the western entering/leaving Vienna sign). They will go about 1/2 mile east then turn around. Event from 8 AM to 10 AM. * Loudoun Half and 8k on April 13th (Sunday). 500-600 participants. Runners will use the Smith Switch to Claiborne Parkway section of trail. Event from 7 AM to 12 noon (most of the event is off trail). * Wounded Warrior/Soldier Ride on April 19th (Saturday). Approximately 50 riders will ride the trail from Herndon Community Center to Douglass Community Center in Leesburg and return to Herndon. Event from 8 AM to 3 PM. * Civil War Hike on April 19th (Saturday). One dozen (12) hikers in Civil War attire marching from Wiehle Avenue in Reston to Hunter Mill Road and back (and forth). Event from 9 AM to 5 PM. * Ride to Provide on April 19th (Saturday). 600 riders cycling from Reston Town Center out to Purcellville and back. Event from 8 AM to 3 PM. * Vale Walk-a-thon on April 26th (Saturday). 100 walkers will walk starting in Vienna, turnaround at mile marker 21 1/2 in Herndon and returing to Vienna (marker 10). Event from 8 AM to 12 noon. * Walk/Run/Ride for LIFE on April 26th (Saturday). 250 participants will begin at Grace Presbyterian Church at Cedar Lane and turn around at Maple Ave (Rt. 123). Event from 8 AM to 12 noon; also group is aware of Vale event. * Run Me Home 5k run on April 26th (Saturday). 350 participants will run from Catoctin Elementary School in Leesburg (near King Street) and will enter trail here. Turnaround point is at marker 36 1/2 and will exit trail at Catoctin Circle. Event from 7:30 AM to 9 AM. * Paul's Ride for Life event on April 26th (Saturday). About 350 participants from Reston Town Center out to Purcellville and back (depending on distance). Trail portion starts around 8 AM ends by noon or so with after-party of sorts at Reston Town Center.

Trail Event--March 30

W&OD Trail 5K in memory of Walter L. Mess Sunday, March 30, 2014 4:00 PM W&OD Trail - at Oak Street 400 North Oak Street Falls Church , VA

Trail Event for May 3--Falls Church Family Bike Day

Announcing the 1st Falls Church Family Bike Day – May 3, 2014! At just 2.2 square miles, our Little City is easily navigated by bicycle. Our community has a tremendous asset running right through it in the W&OD trail. Increased bike use by our children has many benefits - more local shopping, less pressure on crowded school busses, a greater sense of community, reduced demand for parking spaces, and of course more exercise. With information booths followed by a family bicycle ride on the W&OD trail and through the city, Falls Church Family Bike Day on Saturday May 3rd will show off these benefits and feature important bike safety and tips (such as trail usage, street crossing, and group riding) aimed at elementary school aged children and their families. How can you help? We would love your support to participate in and publicize the event. The start and end point will feature music, activities, and booths from our sponsors and relevant groups. We are not seeking financial contributions, but we are seeking participation (activities and booths) and donations for raffle prizes. Booths can be used to promote local businesses or community organizations that have an interest in bike safety, education, fitness, or shopping local. Please “like” and share our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FallsChurchFamilyBikeRide If you would like to participate, please email me back and let me know how: ___ Help promote the event (post flyers, share in your newsletter and social media) ___ Have a booth ___ Donate raffle items ___ Volunteer ___ Other??? Thanks, Erik Pelton (erik@erikpelton.com]

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.