State of the Trail Report
Agencies
Assessment by County
Policy |
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General
Bordered by the Blue Ridge Mountains and Potomac River, Loudoun County is known for its beautiful scenery and rich history. Located just 25 miles from Washington, D.C., it also has an established reputation as an international center for technology, communications and transportation.
Highest among jurisdictions in the D.C. Metro area, the population increase in Loudoun County is third highest in the Nation. Like Prince William County to the south, support for the Potomac Heritage Trail concept is a way to increase the value of existing parks, historic sites and related open spaces by providing non-motorized connections between and among existing amenities.
Most of Loudoun County, geographically, is conducive to development of a PHT segment on public lands and easements. A hiking and equestrian trail could be routed along the top of the bluffs that run for many miles along the River. The views are spectacular and the river could be reached via short spurs or loops where public access is possible such as Ball's Bluff, Red Rock Overlook, and Algonkian Regional Parks.
Only near the eastern end of the County have easements for trails been established. They are relatively short and separated by parcels not yet available for trail development. If the PHT was ever completed to the western end of Loudoun County, the Appalachian Trail will become a major connecting trail (and vice versa).
Existing Trail Segments
The existing trail segments are within three regional parks and two private parcels. Ball's Bluff, Red Rock Overlook, and Algonkian Regional Parks have trails that provide access to the river and exceptional scenery and natural areas. There are existing trail easements on Janelia Farm and Lowe's Island but the trails are not yet developed on these private lands. In addition, the PHT is listed as a prominent feature in promotional materials for the Landsdowne development. Between eastern Fairfax County and Purcellville, in Loudoun County, the Washington and Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail passes through Leesburg, providing one of the region's most important outdoor recreational opportunities.
Planned Trail Segments
Scheduled for completion in 2002, the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, on behalf of Loudoun County, is drafting a "Potomac Heritage Trail Implementation Plan" to indicate preferred and alternative alignments for the PHT and to outline a plan for development. This plan could be adopted for inclusion in Loudoun County's revised General Plan and the Countywide Transportation Plan later this year, a first step in securing funding for trail construction.
The estimated cost for completing the PHT in Loudoun County is $7,859,013, or $172,511 per mile (which could be substantially less with the use of in-kind contributions).
Priorities for completion of the PHT in Loudoun County include:
- Lowe's Island
- Broad Run bridge crossing
Contacts
Loudoun County Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services
PO Box 7000
Leesburg, VA 20177
Mark Novak, Park Planner
(703) 737-8992
Email: mnovak@co.loudoun.va.us
Loudoun Tourism Council
108-D South Street, SE
Leesburg VA 20175
Cheryl Kilday, Executive Director
Ph (703) 777-4964; FAX (703) 777-4973
Email: kilday@visitloudoun.org
Northern Virginia Regional Commission
7535 Little River Turnpike, Suite 100
Annandale, VA 22003
phone: (703) 642-0700
Doug Pickford, Director of Economic Issues and Heritage Resources
Email: pickford@novaregion.org
Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority
5400 Ox Road
Fairfax Station, VA 22039
Kate Rudacille, Land Administration and Planning Manager
(703) 352-5900
Email: info@nvrpa.org
Open Space Advisory Committee
James H. Connors, Chair
20870 Trinity Square
Sterling, VA 20165-7232
(703) 404-1754
Email: jamesconnors@att.net
Potomac Appalachian Trail Club
118 Park Street, SE
Vienna, VA 22180
Email: info@patc.net
Town of Leesburg
Parks and Recreation
50 Ida Lee Drive
Leesburg VA 20176
Kay Dentler, Director
(703) 777-1262
Email: kdentler@leesburgva.org
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