2006 News Archive
Fairfax Trails and Stream E-news 22 November 2006
Our next meeting is Mon. Dec 4, at the usual time/place (7:30 pm, 1437 Balls Hill Rd, McLean).
An incorrect date was given previously. The early 2007 dates remain 1/22, 2/26, 3/26.
Last weekend, boy scouts under mentorship of FTAS' Ed Pickens completed a 30' boardwalk on the CCT, in a very wet area halfway between Rt 7 and Browns Mill Road. Volunteers from MORE led by Randy Kerr also improved the trail in the area. The boardwalk needs to be made longer to cross the entire wet area, but it is a start! Kudos to the volunteers that have done so much to build and maintain the CCT.
Fairfax Trails and Streams E-newsletter 10 November 2006
HIGHLIGHTS
Nov. meeting Monday 7:30 pm, McLean Gov Ctr, 1437 Balls Hill Rd.
78 volunteers clean up Pimmit Run
Next FTAS meetings: 7:30pm Dec 11, Jan 22, Feb 26, Mar 26
Mar. 26 joint with Park Authority at Green Spring: CCT focus
DETAILS
Nov. meeting Monday 7:30 pm, McLean Gov Ctr, 1437 Balls Hill Rd.
AGENDA:
1) Updates on CCT developments
2) Updates on Pimmit Run Trail developments
3) Updates on Potomac Heritage Trail developments
4) Other trail developments
5) Pimmit Run Cleanup Report.
6) Update on John Taggart memorial
7) Brainstorm ideas for FTAS Website
As in previous years, our Nov. and Dec. meetings vary from our usual 4th Monday, to avoid the holidays. Our website temporarily listed a different time for this meeting, but it will be at the usual 7:30 pm.
78 volunteers clean up Pimmit Run
Fairfax Trails and Streams would like to thank the 78 volunteers who adjusted their plans and turned out on the backup weather day for FTAS’ Fall 2007 Cleanup of Pimmit Run, on Sunday, October 29. We especially appreciate the efforts of the volunteers from Boy Scout Troop 825 (LDS Church on Kirby Road) and Boy Scout Troop 128 (St Johns Episcopal Church on Georgetown Pike). Thanks to everyone’s efforts, a variety of items ranging from the mundane ( 2,500+ gallons of plastic bags, cans and bottles, etc.) to the more surprising (a complete mattress, two 55 gal. drums, the metal parts of a large refrigerator, and 300+ lbs of metals) have been removed from the stream. We look forward to working with our neighbors interested in preserving our local environment again in our Spring 2007 Cleanup on March 24, weather backup of March 25. Our Spring 2007 Cleanup will involve cleanup efforts on the 3 major streams in the McLean area – Pimmit Run, Dead Run and Scouts Run. Please mark your 2007 calendars for the cleanup on March 24/25.
Fairfax Trails and Streams e-news 27 October 2006
HIGHLIGHTS
Oct. 29 1-4 pm Pimmit Run Fall Litter Cleanup
Nov. 13 7:30 pm FTAS next meeting; 1437 Balls Hill Rd, McLean (Govt Center)
Welcome our new Webmaster, Tiffany Wakefield!
The Pimmit Run Cleanup originally scheduled for October 28, 9-12 PM has been moved to the weather backup day of Sunday, October 29th 1-4 PM due to forecast rain.
On Sunday, October 29th 1-4 PM, we will be conducting cleanups at the following sites:
-Kirby/Claiborne Lane,
-Colleen Lane/Kinyon Place,
-Bryan Branch Road/Highlands Swim Club,
-Brookhaven Road (end of the road),
-Old Dominion ( at bridge over Pimmit Run),
-Old Chesterbrook (at bridge over Pimmit Run),
-Westmoreland (at bridge over Pimmit Run),
-Great Falls Street/Lemon Road (at old Lemon Road site), and
-Olney Park.
Hope to see you there!
New webmaster
Tiffany Wakefield has graciously offered her time to take over maintenance of www.fairfaxTrails.org. This job was done for years with great enthusiasm by John Taggart until his tragic death this summer. Tiffany is the daughter of long-time trail activist Sue Wakefield, a PRGC board member and CCT advocate.
Tiffany expects to come to our next meeting on Nov. 13, so we can brainstorm ideas for our website with her. Her email is webmaster@fairfaxTrails.org
We will also discuss trail progress on many fronts, and continue planning for a memorial for John. One idea we are considering a tree planting with plaque.
Fairfax Trails and Streams e-news 24 Sept 2006
Sept 25 7:30 pm Meet at the McLean Government Center, 1437 Balls Hill Rd.
Oct. 28 9-noon Pimmit Run Litter Cleanup
Nov. 13 7:30 pm FTAS next meeting (no meeting in October)
See you there
Fairfax Trails and Streams E-news: 24 August 2006
SUMMARY
Sad news: we mourn the death of John Taggart
FTAS meets Mon. Aug. 28 at 7:30, McLean Gov Ctr.
Pimmit Run Litter cleanup Oct. 28 9-noon
DETAILS
JOHN TAGGART
We at FTAS were shocked and saddened to learn of the death of
John Taggart. John was our webmaster, and a stalwart trail
advocate. Whenever we had a trail work day, we could always
count on John to be there rain or shine. He was very much a
kindred soul to all of us - someone who loved the outdoors and
trails. He will be missed by all of us.
The following bio, prepared by a childhood friend, was read at
his service on July 16:
"John W. Taggart, age 34, dear son of Rose Marie Taggart and
the late Bill Taggart, died suddenly on Monday, July 10, 2006.
John was born January 5, 1972. A lifelong resident of
Arlington, Virginia, he attended Williamsburg Middle School
and graduated from Yorktown High School in 1990. Because of
his beard and long hair, his classmates affectionately gave
him the nickname 'Jesus.'
John graduated from George Mason University in Fairfax,
Virginia with degrees in Biology and Art in 1996. His passion
for art was shared with family and friends through his annual
Christmas cards. John's training in Biology expressed itself
as a love of nature and countless walks along the banks of the
Potomac River.
John is survived by his mother, Rose Marie Taggart, numerous
other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by
his father, Bill.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Friends of the
Library, 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington, VA 22201 or the
Potomac River Greenways Coalition, Inc., P.O. Box 6531,
McLean, VA 22106 (http://www.fairfaxtrails.org/prgc)."
John is buried in Flat Rock, Illinois. It's his mother's home
town and many of his family are still there.
FTAS MEETS Monday 8/28 7:30 pm McLean Govt. Ctr, 1437 Balls Hill Rd.
AGENDA
1) We'll discuss our memories of John Taggart, and how FTAS should appropriately respond to his untimely death.
2) Pimmit Run Trail Update, Section by Section: Notably, things are finally moving on the Old Dominion to Brookhaven Section. FCPA has laid out and cleared the
proposed easement thru the Dominion Hills Development LLC property and are reasonably close to purchasing the easement from the LLC. Next week, FTAS and FCPA will be looking at all the prospective bridge sites, to discuss what types of crossings should be used at the 4 crossing sites and how best to get the materials to the two middle sites. FCPA was favorably impressed by the stepping stone crossing that we installed downstream of Old Chesterbrook.
3) Cross County Trail Update - status of trail as result of the June floods and the responses of the FCPA to date concerning the damages done to the trail.
4) Potomac Heritage Trail update: recent progress on several fronts in Northern VA.
5) Scotts Run Trail: Update on how FCPA, FTAS and the developer of The Preserve project on Scotts Run Road are working to establish a trail along the stream from Lewinsville Road to a spot near Old Dominion.
6) Pimmit Run Cleanup: 28 Oct 9-12 PM; backup on 29th 1-4 PM. We need a volunteer to line up scouts and other volunteers. Katherine Sanders will again take care of publicity.
Fairfax Trails and Streams e-news 23 June 2006
FTAS MEETS MONDAY 26 June
Our speaker is Paul Elliott, who will discuss:
- His book, "60 Hikes within 60 Minutes of Washington", and a revision out soon including the CCT and other new local trails
- Paul's role as hike leader with the Sierra Club's Metro Wash Regional Outdoor Program (MWROP)
- Paul's recent hikes over this year covering the entire CCT, Laurel Hill Greenway, and parts of the Fairfax Co. PHNST.
Also Ed Pickens is back (after being out of town the last two meetings) and will bring us up to date on much that FTAS members has been accomplishing lately, on Pimmit, the CCT and elsewhere.
Location: 1437 Balls Hill Rd, McLean Govt. Center (near where Dulles Rd crosses 123)
Hope to see you there
Fairfax Trails and Streams e-News 17 May 2006
HIGHLIGHTS
May 20: Hike Accotink Bay at Ft Belvoir (route for Pot. Heritage Trail)
May 22: 7:30 pm FTAS meets: Speaker Diane Hoffman
May 27 Hike northern CCT / Great Falls/ Riverbend with Sierra Club/MWROP, PATC
June 3: Hike and Ribbon-cut for 3 miles of trail open along the Potomac, Goose Cr.
June 10 CCT Hike (Springfield area) with Sierra Club / MWROP, PATC
CCT Trailfest a big success
New 130' Giles Run bridge opens on Laurel Hill Greenway for Trialfest
DETAILS
May 20 Hike Accotink Bay at Ft Belvoir (route for Pot. Heritage Trail)
Join the Sierra Club's Metro Wash. Regional Outings Program (MWROP) and the Potomac Heritage Trail Association, as we explore the future route of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail in the Accotink Bay Wildlife Refuge at Fort Belvoir. We'll continue onto the newly constructed trail at Noman Cole (see our July 31, 2005 e-newsletter at www.FairfaxTrails.org). Meet at the Vienna Metro Station at 9 am (north parking lot near sidewalk); or at the Lorton VRE station at 10 am. Carpools to the hike from both locations. Bring water and snacks/lunch. Leaders Paul Elliott 703/256-6351 and Glenn Gillis 703/430-0568.
FTAS meets May 22: Speaker Diane Hoffman
We will meet as usual at 7:30 pm, the 4th Monday in May, at the McLean Govt Center, 1437 Balls Hill Rd. Speaker is Diane Hoffman of the No. Va. Soil and Water Commission, who will discuss the restoration efforts along Little Pimmit Run, and much else regarding protecting our watersheds.
May 27 Hike northern CCT / Great Falls/ Riverbend with Sierra Club/MWROP,PATC
One-way and scenic 7.2 mi. in Great Falls area, consisting of 2.2 mi. from Leigh Mill Rd. to CCT terminus in Great Falls Park, then partly hilly 5 riverfront mi. in that park and in Riverbend Park. Car shuttle required. Bring lunch and water. Limited to 20 people. Leaders: Ray Evert 703/893-3792 (between 9am and 9pm) or hikerdude22@msn.com and Henri Comeau HenriComeau@aol.com.
June 3: Hike and Ribbon-cut for 3 miles of trail open along the Potomac, Goose Cr.
Join Loudoun Parks and Recr and Potomac Heritage Trail Assn. for a ribbon cutting of new trail along the Potomac and Goose Creek. Also, join Sierra Club / MWROP for a hike along the new trail, to coincide with the ribbon cutting. Highlights will include three new parks (Elizabeth Mills, Kephart Landing and Bles).
For the hike (and ceremony), meet either at 8:30am at the Vienna Metro station (north parking lot near sidewalk) or at 9:30am at the Dulles Town Center Hechts (front lot off of City Center Blvd., in Sterling, Va.). Leaders: Glenn Gillis 703/430-0568 and Paul Elliott 703/256-6351.
For the opening ceremony (no hike), park at Belmont Ridge Middle School. From beltway, take 7 west 18 miles, right on Belmont Ridge Road, bear right on Upper Belmont Ridge Rd. Shuttles will take you to Elizabeth Mills Park.
June 10 CCT Hike (Springfield area) with Sierra Club / MWROP, PATC
One-way 7.5 mi. hike in Lorton/Springfield area consisting of 4.5 mi. on newly opened Laurel Hill Scenic Greenway Trail from Occoquan River to Wadebrook Terrace, and 3 mi. along parkland-encased Pohick Valley Stream Park to Fairfax County Pkwy. Bring lunch and water. Car shuttle required. Limited to 20 people. Leaders: Ray Evert 703/893-3792 (between 9am and 9pm) or hikerdude22@msn.com and Henri Comeau 703/451-7965 or HenriComeau@aol.com.
CCT Trailfest a big success; 130' Giles Run bridge open on Laurel Hill Greenway
From the beautiful weather to the sizable crowds and friendly atmosphere, Trailfest (May 6) was a success from one end of the Cross County Trail to the other. Starting at 7 am, Ffx Co. Supervisor Connolly led the first of five ribbon cuttings at Georgetown Pike. Other attendees at one or more Trailfest events included Supervisors Dubois, Gross, Bulova, Hyland, Smyth, Congressman Tom Davis, the Ffx Co Park Authority Board (whose rowdy cheering added to the festivities) and Trails Planner Jenny Pate, whose unflinching efforts made the event (and trail) possible. A group of hikers led by Cliff Noyes (Sierra Club/ MWROP) started at first light and hiked the entire 41 miles. Randy Kerr led off-road bikers (MORE), including Joe Chudzik (champion of the Mason Neck Trial); they rode the entire 41 miles, pausing for most of the ribbon cuttings. At the last one in Laurel Hill, they rode through a paper barrier as part of the celebration. FTAS founder Bill Niedringhaus spoke at four of the events, remarking on the role of volunteers in getting the CCT constructed. Cynthia Lam, one of only three who completed the first Cross County Hike with Bill in 1999, addressed the crowds at Wakefield. Many volunteer groups participated in one or more of the celebrations, including the MORE, Great Falls Trailblazers, Vienna Trails, Hunter Valley Riding Club, Clifton Horse Society, Sierra Club MWROP, Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, the Potomac Heritage Trail Association and of course, FTAS. Many of these groups held their own Trailfest events at various points along the trail. The Ffx Co Park Authority also held dozens of family activities up and down the trail. There were buttons, water bottles, T-shirts, and a huge cake sporting the colorful Trailfest logo.
In Laurel Hill the festivities climaxed, with a band, a bar and refreshment tent. Planned fireworks were cancelled, unfortunately, due to high winds. The Greenway is now open, including a just-built 130' bridge over Giles Run, and a restored stonedust surface passing under the old railroad bridge (1911) under Furnace Road. The main Trailfest message: celebration that the CCT is connected, but that it is still a work in progress, and the spine for many current and future trails.
Fairfax Trails and Streams e-News 21 April 2006
Due to bad weather, Saturday's Seneca to Great Falls hike has been postponed.
Details on the many Cross County Trail events associated with TrailFest (all day May 6) are now online, on the Fairfax Co. Park Authority's web site: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/trailfest/
Fairfax Trails and Streams e-News 20 April 2006
HIGHLIGHTS
Hike Seneca to Great Falls, Apr. 22
FTAS meets Apr. 24 7:30 pm
Ed Pickens' Report from Litter Cleanup
Learn to Build Trails that Last (Apr. 28,29, Riverbend Pk)
Cross County TrailFest May 6
DETAILS
Hike Seneca to Great Falls, Apr. 22
Celebrate Earth Day and join us for a ten mile hike from Seneca Falls to Great Falls Park , along the route of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, including newly designated segments in Riverbend and Great Falls Parks. Meet at the far parking lot in Great Falls Park (admission fee required) at 9:00 am; from there we will arrange a car shuttle to the beginning of the hike at Seneca. For more information please contact Bill Niedringhaus at farifaxtrails@aol.com or 703-244-2476.
FTAS meets Apr. 24 7:30 pm
Learn of news along the Pimmit and Cross County Trails, and details of the Cross County Trail Fest
Ed Pickens' Report from Litter Cleanup
Ed writes:
Many thanks to the over 170 volunteers that came out on 1 and 3 April for Fairfax Trails & Streams Spring 2006 cleanup of the streams of the McLean area. 82 volunteers at 15 sites along Pimmit Run turned Pimmit Run into the cleanest it has been in the 10 years that we have been doing cleanups along that stream. 70 volunteers at 5 sites for the 1st time worked much of Scotts Run and got the upper 60% portion of that Run clean for the 1st time in decades. 20 volunteers at 3 sites worked for the 1st time Dead Run from Georgetown Pike to Old Dominion – the heavily used areas of that Run. The combined efforts of all the volunteers resulted in taking out – 4 large dumpsters of disposal trash, 1,200+ lbs of metals, 20+ tires, 2 large TV sets, and a shopping cart.A special thanks goes out to Victor Litwinski for his extensive in-stream, pre-cleanup efforts on both Pimmit and Scotts Run; to West Group who turned out 50 of their employees to cleanup the upper section of Scotts Run near Tysons Corner; and to Boy Scout Troops 128, 827, 869 and 1130 and 2 cub scout packs.
You volunteers made the cleanup a super success.
Thanks,
Ed Pickens
Learn to Build Trails that Last (Apr. 28,29, Riverbend Pk)
MORE is hosting the IMBA Trail Care Crew at the end of April. They teach how to properly build sustainable multiuse trails. The in class teaching will be done at the nature center at Riverbend Park and all hands on training will be done on sections of the Fairfax Cross County Trail, specifically the section after Carpers Farm Way.
Two teams of trail experts travel year round throughout North America and beyond, leading trailwork sessions, meeting with land managers, and working with IMBA affiliated clubs and members. IMBA receives about 150 requests for 80 slots and this is the third time MORE has landed an IMBA TCC visit. There is no guarentee we will see the TCC back in the DC area next year as it's rare to receive as many as we have already.
The crew will be conducting 2 one day trail building workshops in Northern Virginia at River Bend Park on Apr 28-29. The workshops include three hours of classroom instruction followed by hands-on time in the field learning trailbuilding techniques. Topics include designing a contour trail, controlling water flow, building effective trail structures, urban park solutions, freeride trails, and routine trail maintenance. The goal is to teach you the tools of building and maintaining sustainable trails.
The fieldwork will be hands-on trailbuilding, so please come prepared. You will probably be most comfortable in long pants and a long sleeved shirt. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water, snacks, work gloves, sunscreen, and a hat (anything you might need if spending the day outside in the sun). If you have a favorite trail building tool (pulaskis, McLeods, rakes picks, hoes, shovels, etc.), feel free to bring it.
More information at http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/showthread.php?t=3290
Fairfax Trails and Streams e-News 17 March 2006
Talk Cross-County Trail on WMET 1160 AM March 19 1-2 pm
Bill Niedringhaus of FTAS, and Judy Pedersen and Jenny Pate of Fx Co Park Auth. will be on "The Spin Zone." It's a radio show on WMET AM 1160 on Sunday, March 19 from 1-2 p.m.
Host Al Rickart will focus on the new CCT that was only recently completed. We will also talk about CCTrailfest to be held on May 6, 2006. As part of the show he will open up the phone lines in hopes of getting a few callers who may want to join our discussion. From the title of the show, the focus is on bicycling, but we will probably talk about all the trail users.
Please listen in, and give us a call if you'd like to bring up your favorite ideas on local trails.
Radio show website: http://wmet1160.com/artman/publish/theSpinZone.shtml.
Reminders:
March 27th, 7:30pm Next FTAS meeting: McLean Govt. Center
April 1st, 9am Pimmit Run Litter Cleanup
Fairfax Trails and Streams E-news 9 March 2006
HIGHLIGHTS
Pimmit Run Worktrip Sunday 1-5 (park Old Chesterbrook at Longfellow)
FTAS meets March 27 (speaker: kayaking Pimmit, Difficult Run)
Ed Pickens wins MCA Award
Pimmit Litter Cleanup April 1
CALENDAR
Mar. 12: Pimmit Run worktrip 1-5
Mar. 19 9:30 am CCT Hike Pohick Road to Lake Accotink www.mwrop.org
Mar. 19, 1 pm WTEM radio: Discuss CCT and other trails (details TBA)
Mar. 24 evening Clyde Duval award ceremony
Mar. 27, 7:30 pm FTAS meets, McLean Govt. Center (also 4th Monday every month same time/place
Apr. 1 9 am Pimmit Run Litter Cleanup
Apr. 9 9:30 am CCT Hike Lake Accotink to Pickett Rd www.mwrop.org
Apr. 22 9 am PHTA hike Great Falls to Seneca Park www.potomactrail.org
Apr. 23 9:30 am CCT Hike Oak Marr to Lawyers Rd www.mwrop.org
May 6 all day CCT Trail Fest www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/trailfest.htm
May 6 all day CCT 38-mile thru hike--info hclmnoyes@yahoo.com
May 16 9:30 am CCT Hike Lawyers Rd to Great Falls www.mwrop.org
May 20 9 am PHTA hike Ft Belvoir and Noman Cole www.potomactrail.org
Jun. 3 National Trails Day (PHTA hike Goose Creek to Broad Run 8 mi) www.potomactrail.org
June 10 9:30 am CCT Hike Laurel Hill Greenway www.mwrop.org
DETAILS
Pimmit Run Worktrip Sunday 1-5
Help prepare the new section of Pimmit Run trail between Old Chesterbrook and Old Dominion for spring. Clear out brush before it overgrows the trail. Please park at Old Chesterbrook near Longfellow Drive. Details pickens_slim@hotmail.com
Ed Pickens wins MCA Duval Award
FTAS president Ed Pickens has won this years McLean Citizens Association Duval Environmental Protection Award. The ceremony will be held at the MCA Awards Banquet
Friday, March 24, 7 p.m. at Maggiano's Little Italy at the Galleria ($30). More info at http://www.mcleancitizens.org/mca/default.asp
Fairfax Trails and Stream E-news February 23 2006
HIGHLIGHTS
- FTAS Meets Monday Feb. 27, 7:30 pm
- New fairweather crossing on CCT (Rt 7 to Great Falls, dry feet)
- Busy spring, full of trail events
- Potomac Heritage Trail newsletter (winter 2006) at www.potomactrail.org
CALENDAR
FTAS Feb 27 MEETING AGENDA
- Mary Travaglini, The Nature Conservancy, Briefing on Potomac
Gorge Habitat Restoration Study
- Pimmit Run Cleanup (1 April) Discussion
- McLean Citizens Foundation Resolution on Pimmit Run Trail and Other MCA Trail Developments
- Pimmit Run Trail Developments - Old Chesterbrook to Old Dominion Section
- Potomac Heritage Trail Update (copies of Winter 2006 newsletter)
- Little Hunting Creek Trail Developments
- Upcoming FTAS Events
Fairfax Trails and Stream E-news January 20 2006
CCT CAUCUS: Jan.23, 7:30 pm, Green Springs Gardens
Next FTAS meeting: Feb. 27, 7:30 pm McLean Government Center, 1437 Balls Hill Rd.
The Fifth Annual Cross County Trail Caucus will be held on Monday, January 23, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens in the public meeting room. The program is presented in cooperation with Fairfax Trails and Streams as well as other local trail enthusiasts.
The Cross County Trail, a 38-mile multi-use trail which runs through stream valleys and forms a spine from the Potomac River in the north to the Occoquan River in the south, was officially dedicated on December 17, 2005. “It was wonderful to reach that point, and already we are working hard to continue to expand the trail,” said Fairfax County Park Authority Trail Coordinator Jenny Pate. Work is underway to complete another two-miles of trail in the Lorton area which will bring the new tally to 40 miles of continuous trail.
The Trail Caucus gives volunteers and trail users an opportunity to review progress, discuss volunteer construction efforts, review user needs and this year to help plan Trailfest, a countywide celebration along the Cross County Trail scheduled for May 6, 2006. Participants will view a newly created video which tells the story of the trail’s creation and will also find out the recipient of the Cross County Trail Award.
Green Spring Gardens can be reached from the Beltway by taking Exit 52B (Little River Turnpike east) Travel 3.5 miles. Turn left on Braddock Road. Drive two tenths of a mile and turn right onto Witch Hazel Road. For more information please contact Ms. Pate at 703-324-8726 or the Public Information Office at 703-324-8662.
E-mail: parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov
Press Inquiries: 703-324-8662
