W&OD Trail

Share the Trail Rule #5: Be Alert.

Wow--we're already at another weekend!

If you are headed out on our trails this weekend, please be kind and share the trails!

Here's another helpful video from our friends at Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

http://ow.ly/p1tf50ATCJH

Stay in tune to your surroundings out on the trail. This is one of six short videos featured in RTC's 2016 Share the Trail Campaign. Follow the six Golden Ru...

A quick heads up for W&OD Trail users: with all the rain last night there was a mudslide about a half mile west of Hamilton Station Road. The trail is mostly open there but heavy equipment needed to remove the rest of the mud. Park staff are out and about cleaning/clearing off mud and gravel but PLEASE be cautious as you travel through any coned/taped off areas along the trail. Thanks!

Since March 2020, all NOVA Parks' parks and trails are seeing record use during the pandemic. The W&OD Trail is the most popular trail in Virginia and the use there has been record-setting.

The following data is from just one counter counting users going in one direction (Bon Air Park – westbound)

Comparing 2018 to 2020 April 1 – May 26
✔️Overall use was up by 36%
✔️May 2 – Use up 207% with a peak of 5,427 westbound users
✔️May 17 – Use up 417%
✔️May 20 – Use up 267%
✔️During this period in 2018, there were 0 days with over 4,000 westbound users, and in 2020 there were eight days with over 4,000 westbound users.

This is a snapshot of just one location, and one direction. The W&OD Trail is 45 miles long, with 70 cross streets.

In urban areas, dual parallel paths are coming. The first Dual Trails area will start being constructed this month in Falls Church. The design of a section in Arlington is funded and will start in a few years.

#happinesshere #discoverwhatsnext #wodtrail #novaparks

Getting bigger...

Share the Trail Rule #4: Mind Your Pets.

AS you head out on the trail this weekend, please make sure your four-legged friends are great trail ambassadors!

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

http://ow.ly/2dnR50ANokv

#happinesshere #discoverwhatsnext #railstotrails #wodtrail #novaparks #summer2020

Make sure your four-legged friends are great trail ambassadors! This is one of six short videos featured in RTC's 2016 Share the Trail Campaign. Follow the s...

One man's trash is another bird's treasure: A pair of wrens have woven an awkwardly-placed nest in our Ashburn shop...

Share the Trail Rule #3: Standing Still? Stand Aside.

As you head out on the trail today, please be aware of your fellow trail users. Please watch this Share the Trail Tip #3 video from our friends at Rails-to-Trails Conservancy .

http://ow.ly/WK9B50AK7ZG

#happinesshere #discoverwhatsnext #standingstillstandaside #wodtrail #novaparks

Taking a break? Take it off the trail. This is one of six short videos featured in RTC's 2016 Share the Trail Campaign. Follow these six Golden Rules of trai...

Please be aware that we've received word from the Leesburg Police Department that there is a downed power line on or near the trail between Harrison Street and King Street in Leesburg. Dominion Energy are on-scene conducting repairs, so please navigate that section of trail with caution.

Share the Trail Rule #2: Keep Right, Pass Left.

The W&OD Trail will probably be very busy today. Please watch this safety video from our friends at Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

Keep Right--Pass Left

http://ow.ly/Kup350AHAfq

#happinesshere #discoverwhatsnext #wodtrail #safetyfirst #novaparks

It's a trifecta: Move on the right, pass on the left, and be heard! This is one of six short videos featured in RTC's 2016 Share the Trail Campaign. Follow t...

Share the Trail Rule #1: Use Safe Speeds

As we approach another weekend, we wanted to share the important safety message from our friends at Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

Be safe and courteous.

Gauge your speed on the trail. Remember, we're all in this together! This is one of six short videos featured in RTC's 2016 Share the Trail Campaign. Follow ...

Work will begin this week at Hunter Mill Rd on a flashing signal to alert vehicular traffic to the presence of trail users wishing to cross the intersection...

Boy is it HOT, HOT, HOT outside today! Don't forget to pack plenty of water when you visit our parks today! Stay hydrated!

#happinesshere #discoverwhatsnext #novaparks #hydrate

The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority

Official!!

It's official! The ​FY2020-2025 Six Year Program - a $539 Regional Transportation Funding Program - has unanimously been adopted by the Authority! https://thenovaauthority.org/fy2024-2025-six-year-program-update/ #northernva #transportation #dctraffic 😀👏🎉

Work has begun west of Cochran Mill Rd on what will be the Crosstrail Blvd extension overpass...

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.0827407,-77.5281789,16z

We have a new, will-work-for-food employee at our shop -- goodbye mouse problem!

A duck couple visiting(?) our shop yard...

The water fountains at the following locations are now working: MM0 in Shirlington; Cedar Lane; the Vienna train station; Buckthorn Lane in Reston; Smithswitch Road in Ashburn; Lawson Road; Loudoun County High School; the trailhead in Purcellville.

The fountains at the Broad Street bridge in Falls Church and Sunset Hills in Reston are not yet "summerized."

The newly activated fountains may need some fine tuning, so please press the button *before* putting your face at bowl level ;)

Be advised: There is a large branch down on the trail west of Hamilton Station Road. A tree crew is on the way now...

NOVA Parks

Here's an op-ed piece written by Executive Director Paul Gilbert regarding the dual trails project in Arlington that appeared in InsideNoVA.com https://www.insidenova.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/commentary-dual-trail-proposal-on-w-od-offers-advantages/article_55a0e406-a4fc-11ea-83fd-db5b6a33144e.html

Just a heads-up: This Honda key fob was discovered between Wiehle Ave and Sunset Hills Rd in Reston the other day. Please contact us if this is yours, and we'll put you in touch with the finder.

Special thank you to Jay Young for putting this great info together!

An intrepid local 7th grader gathered some data regarding behavior on the W&OD and what he found makes a lot of sense! Remember when you're heading out on to the trail to make sure you pay attention to those around you!

Before-and-after of a sinkhole in Falls Church...

A wider W&OD trail is up for funding, but again faces opposition

For the night owls out there this is literally your last chance to comment and support this important project. Send an email to the address in the post below and make your voice heard!

ggwash.org A proposal to widen the Washington and Old Dominion Trail in Arlington has reached the next phase to potentially get funding. As with the last time it came up for public review, it’s also facing some pushback from people, under the banner of concern over trees and the environment.

A wider W&OD trail is up for funding, but again faces opposition

It takes an email and less than 30 seconds of your time to save this crucial W&OD project / please help! ( [email protected] )

ggwash.org A proposal to widen the Washington and Old Dominion Trail in Arlington has reached the next phase to potentially get funding. As with the last time it came up for public review, it’s also facing some pushback from people, under the banner of concern over trees and the environment.

A wider W&OD trail is up for funding, but again faces opposition

Please show your support for this project! We need your help to see your trail get this wonderful improvement!

ggwash.org A proposal to widen the Washington and Old Dominion Trail in Arlington has reached the next phase to potentially get funding. As with the last time it came up for public review, it’s also facing some pushback from people, under the banner of concern over trees and the environment.

Here's a version of our etiquette sign specifically for trail users! Have fun and be safe!

NOVA Parks

Planning to spend your Memorial Day weekend visiting some of our parks? Follow this handy graphic! For a full look at individual park operating statuses, visit your favorite park page on novaparks.com - we've included all the latest info. You can also view our current status message here: https://tinyurl.com/y9zz36bv

Stay safe so we can stay open!

NOVA Parks

We know you're missing the parks - we are too! Let's share some memories! Tag @novaparksva and share some of your favorite photos you've taken while visiting any of our properties - we'll share as many as we can here and on our park pages!

We've started mowing today! We mowed from mile marker 26 in Ashburn down to mile marker 21 (Crestview Drive) in Herndon.

We are operating with bare bones minimal staffing during this times so please bear with us. We'll continue mowing eastward weather permitting. Please use caution around our mowing equipment should you encounter park staff during your travels.

Thank you and stay safe!

New truncated dome pads at the Shreve Rd and Virginia Lane intersections in Falls Church...

With the weekend upon us we want to emphasize the need to limit groups to less than 10 people in our parks. Social distancing guidelines should be followed while on our trails and in the parks. We can all do our part to flatten the curve.

#flattenthecurve #stayhomestaysafe

Collaboration in the Time of Pandemic | Feature | Parks & Recreation magazine | NRPA

During this fast-changing COVID-19 pandemic crisis, as a collective team, the Northern Virginia park and recreation directors have built on well-established ties to provide a coordinated response and work through difficult decisions together.

You can read the article about this collaboration, written by NOVA Parks Executive Director, Paul Gilbert, at:

http://ow.ly/TfvU50zmKSk

You can also listen to the podcast at:
http://ow.ly/OY4m50zmKSt

#flattenthecurve #stayhomestaysafe

nrpa.org During this fast-changing COVID-19 pandemic crisis, a group of park and recreation directors in Northern Virginia have built on well-established ties to provide a coordinated response and work through difficult decisions together.

What adventures can you find in your neighborhood today? Does a neighbor have a gorgeous flowering tree? Is there a new route you can take on your daily walk/run/bike ride? Do your part today to flatten the curve and stay close to home. Together we can all work together to stay safe!

#flattenthecurve #stayhomestaysafe

Happy Earth Day from NOVA Parks

NOVA Parks is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day! Here are 5 great ways you can celebrate Earth Day at home!

https://youtu.be/JpaivH1T5KI

#earthdaystartsathome #novaparks

NOVA Parks is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day! Here are 5 great ways you can celebrate Earth Day at home!

We want you to stay safe! Please do your part to flatten the curve and maintain social distancing when finding exercise and recreation options today!

#stayhomestaysafe #flattenthecurve