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2000 News Archive
July thru September

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NO FTAS MEETING IN JULY We have decided to take a (well-earned!) vacation this month. We were planning to devote the meeting to working out certain McLean and Pimmit Run trail issues, but this has already been done (see below). There is also a meeting with a key Pimmit Run landowner that day, which several FTAS regulars will be attending. So work goes on despite this one break!

PIMMIT RUN TRAIL PRIORITIES Following up discussion at our June 24 meeting, Fairfax Trails and Streams developed priorities for building sections of the Pimmit Run Trail. These are: --- #1 Westmoreland to Great Falls Street (since some funding is earmarked for this already; a purely public off-road route exists, and it extends the already-complete portion from Old Chesterbrook to Westmoreland) --- #2 Pimmit Bend Park to Old Dominion Dr. (ranked highly since only one piece of land is currently in private hands, and the owner has committed to donating the parcel) --- #3 Old Dominion to Old Chesterbrook (half complete already; access needed across one lot; would link #1 and #2) --- #4 Pimmit Bend Park to Colleen Lane A memo detailing these priorities was recently sent to Dranesville Supervisor Stuart Mendelsohn. About $300,000 in funding (from three different sources) has been identified so far for constructing the trail. Some is available now; other funds become available gradually over the next three years. If you would like to see the Pimmit Run Trail become a reality, it's not too late to e-mail to our local leaders (as we asked in our previous e-newsletter); the addresses are stuart.mendelsohn@co.fairfax.va.us, rosemary.ryan@co.fairfax.va.us, rick.thoesen@lcsa.org, rowemm@aol.com. Thanks to those of you who have done so already.

NEEDED: POSTHOLE DIGGER and METAL DETECTOR Steve Dryden writes that he got permission from FCPA to put up a Pimmit Run "Adopt a Stream" sign in Kent Gardens Park. There are 5 other "Adopt a Stream" signs ready for installation at Great Falls St., Westmoreland St., Old Chesterbrook Road, Old Dominion Dr. and one other location. If any of you have a posthole digger, we would appreciate borrowing it for a day to erect the sign. FTAS has held discussions with the owners of one of the few properties needed to complete the Cross-County Trail. We need to locate a metal post in the ground. If any of you have a metal detector we could borrow, it would save us the rental fee.

HELP CLEAN UP THE POTOMAC HERITAGE TRAIL (July 15 9-12) When: Saturday, July 15, 2000, 9 a.m. till noon. (rain or shine) Where: Potomac Heritage Trail, Arlington County Virginia Gulf Branch Nature Center to Chain Bridge Bring: Shoes and clothes that can get wet and dirty, gloves, snacks & drinking water. Trash bags and extra gloves will be provided. Details: The Potomac Conservancy and Potomac Appalachian Trail Club are coordinating a major clean up of the Potomac Heritage Trail and Virginia shoreline to collect litter and other garbage of careless park users. Volunteers of all ages are welcome but young people should be accompanied by an adult. Meet at the trailhead of the Gulf Branch trail at the intersection of Military Road and N. 36th Road across the street from the Gulf Branch Nature Center. Look for Potomac Conservancy signs. For information or to sign up contact Matt Berres at 703.276.2777 or berres@potomac.org or www.potomac.org This cleanup will have media attention--Cameras from Channel 7, WJLA, and maybe Washington Post people will be there.

HIKE THE FUTURE ROUTE OF McLEAN's Mt VERNON TRAIL EXTENSION (July 23 9am) Dennis Frew writes: July 23 will be the date for the hike of the Mt. Vernon trail extension. The plan is to meet at the north end of Military Road near the turn to go down to Chain Bridge before 9 AM. We will start hiking at 9. We plan to leave a car on Live Oak Drive near the American Legion Bridge to shuttle the hikers back to Military Rd. Others may wish to do so. Please bring water as there is little or none available on the hike. It would be helpful if those planning to do the hike let me know in advance. So we know who is coming and so we can let the Park Service know how may people to expect. If you have any questions please email me at frewd@onr.navy.mil or call 703-696-0942 (o) or 703-442-7848 (h).

DAVENPORTS DONATE PROPERTY NEEDED FOR PIMMIT RUN TRAIL This week, Charles and Gail Davenport donated property at Brookhaven Drive to the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust. This donation is significant for two reasons. First, it completes a continuous public right-of-way along Pimmit Run from Old Dominion Drive to Pimmit Bend Park (Bryan Branch Rd). Second, it is the first of many ongoing negotiations between FTAS/NVCT and landowners along Pimmit Run and Difficult Run to be completed successfully. It gives us renewed hope that, thanks to increased citizen and government interest in trails and helpful changes in the tax laws, these trails will be completed soon. At our August 28 meeting, we will hold a "greening the map" ceremony. On our big maps of the Pimmit Run Trail, which show public lands and trail easements in green, we will color this lot green as well to indicate its transition to public ownership.

FTAS AUGUST AND SEPT. MEETINGS (McLean Govt Center, 1437 Balls Hill Rd, McLean near Rt 123 at Lewinsville Rd)
AUGUST 28, 7:30: our guest is Virginia Delegate Vince Callahan New color logo proposed for Fairfax Trails and Streams
SEPT. 25, 7:00 (Special early start time!)

PIMMIT RUN HISTORY Steve Dryden will talk on the history of, and little known facts about the Pimmit stream valley area. He'll also show drafts of the historic map of the area that is under preparation. Copies of "Old Roads and New Insights," the ca. 1980 manuscript about the Pimmit area by the late McLean historian Winslow Hatch, will be available for sale, proceeds to FTAS.

FCPA's KAREN LANHAM will discuss planning and prioritizing stream valley trail projects; use of funding from various sources. This is our chance to discuss and recommend what gets done when, where and how.

FUNDING FOR TCSP Funding for the TCSP (Transportation and Community and System Preservation Program) remains in doubt. This has been an important source of funding for trail projects, and this year $500,000 from this fund has been requested the Fairfax Cross-County Trail. However, the House of Representatives has not approved any TCSP funding for FY 2001. You can help by writing Rep. Frank Wolf, the chair of the Transportation Committee, to urge full funding for the program. (Address: The Honorable Frank R. Wolf / United States House of Representatives / Washington, DC 20515; 202-225-5136). Please mention specifically the Cross-County Trail and the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. Large portions of both trails are in Rep. Wolf's district. It would also be helpful to talk to your local supervisor, state delegate and/or senator to get their support and contact Wolf. A copy of FTAS' August 9 letter to Wolf is available on request.

A WALK ALONG THE POTOMAC ABOVE RIVERBEND PARK (Saturday August 12, 8am) Robin Rentsch will lead a hike 6 miles along the Potomac from Riverbend Park to the Loudoun County line, discussing issues in creating a public right-of-way for the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. Meet at the Great Falls Grange on Georgetown Pike at 8 am. this Saturday.

TREE-PLANTING... ... ALONG PIMMIT RUN Judy Okay from the Va Dept of Forestry walked several segments of the Pimmit and its tributaries on August 7, accompanied by Steve Dryden, to see if there were areas for possible plantings to stabilize creek banks and floodplains. She idenified one area east of Great Falls St., which could benefit from plantings of appropriate saplings or shrubs. She plans to contact property owners and/or the homeowners' association there to propose the plantings. ... ALONG IDYLWOOD ROAD The Northern Virginia Conservation Trust recently gained a sizable conservation easement on Idylwood Road, and is requesting volunteers to plant trees there on Sept. 25. Volunteers get free raffle tickets for a computer. Call 703 354 5093

"DOT COM" PARK PLANNED BY THE CROSS-COUNTY TRAIL The Northern Virginia Conservation Trust is seeking corporate donors to create a new park (perhaps 20 acres) in the Dulles corridor. One possible site is by the Cross-County Trail near the W&OD. If you would like to help, please call Paul Gilbert at 703 354 5093.

FTAS ADOPT-A-STREAM SIGN ERECTED AT KENT GARDENS PARK Steve Dryden erected the first (of six) Pimmit Run Adopt-A-Stream signs at the Kent Gardens Park bridge over Pimmit Run. Pimmit Run Trail brochures are available there, and the new FTAS color logo may be seen there as well.

VOLUNTEER FAIRFAX: OCTOBER 28, 2000 Volunteer Fairfax (www.volunteerfairfax.org) works with the FCPA to coordinate many volunteer projects in the parks. This year it's on Saturday, October 28. FTAS is planning volunteer events this fall, including a Pimmit Run cleanup. We have not set dates yet, but joining this day's events is a good possibility. Stay tuned...

CORRECTION: Re tomorrow's walk in Great Falls: Robin has asked that anyone wishing to come call her first at 703 759 1122. A car shuttle must be arranged and parking is very limited. Thanks.

BIKE DC SEPT 10: Dennis Frew writes: The ride is September 10th and the first rest stop is at Fort Marcy. We plan to provide information on the extension of the Mt. Vernon trail from Rosslyn to the American Legion Bridge and the Pimmit Run trail. The north bound lanes of the GW parkway will be closed to traffic and will allow two way bike traffic. The Ride will start at 20th and coming over the Teddy Roosevelt bridge going up to Fort Marcy for a rest stop and returning to DC for a continuation around the District. The full ride is approximately 35 miles. The website for information on the ride is http://www.waba.org/. Thanks to Dennis for helping to publicize our trail projects!

AGENDA FOR FTAS MEETING: MONDAY AUGUST 28 ------ 7:30 pm McLean Govt Center, 1437 Balls Hill Rd, McLean

1. A meeting with Virginia Delegate Vince Callahan Mr. Callahan's district includes portions of the Pimmit Run Trail, Cross-County Trail, Georgetown Pike Trail and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. This is an opportunity for us describe our volunteer efforts for these trails, hear his views and discuss possible next steps.

2. Ceremony to celebrate the Davenport donation To celebrate the property donation of Charles and Gail Davenport, we will have a brief "greening the map" ceremony. The earliest catalyst for interest in the Pimmit Run Trail was a large-scale, cut-and-paste map showing that most of the trail's right-of-way is in public ownership, indicated in green. With this donation to the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust, we are a major step closer to our goal. We will color it green. The latest issue of the McLean Connection features this donation, with a color photo of the property and quotes from the Davenports, NVCT's Paul Gilbert, Bill Niedringhaus and Kate Hanley.

3. Planning for Trail Construction. FTAS will soon be meeting with the Fairfax County Park Authority's Planning and Development Division to discuss detailed planning for constructing the Pimmit Run Trail and the Cross-County Trail. Draft FTAS positions will be outlined; we will seek feedback and consensus from the group. We also will be discussing FTAS's planned application for a grant from the McLean Citizens Foundation.

4. Logos Draft color logos, prepared using Adobe Illustrator, will be proposed for - Fairfax Trails and Streams - Pimmit Run Trail - Fairfax Cross-County Trail The first two logos are new. The third was developed on paper by Joan McGurrin, unanimously supported by FTAS earlier this year (in an attempt to get the FCPA to include it on the nine Cross-County Trail signposts erected for National Trails Day this year) and approximated as best we could on Adobe Illustrator. The logos will soon be posted on our website.

5. Old Business

6. New Business

7. Adjourn

Note: Bob Jordan enlarged and framed photos of five Fairfax County Supervisors--Mendelsohn, Hudgins, Frey, Connolly and Gross--unveiling Cross-County Trail signposts in their districts on June 3-4. A photo of a sixth supervisor, Sharon Bulova, appeared in the Springfield Journal at the time; we are seeking to obtain and frame a photo of her as well. Merilee Pierce snapped the first three and Bob the latter two. All five will on view at the meeting. Then they will be given to the supervisors.

VIEW PIMMIT LOT, SEPT 5 5:30 On Tuesday, Sept 5, FTAS will meet at 5:30 at the end of Brookhaven St. (off Linway Terrace) in McLean to visualize trail possibilities at the lot newly-donated to the Virginia Land Conservation Trust. We encourage trail enthusiasts, local residents, and local officials to exchange views on the future trail.

NEED E-MAIL SUPPORT ASAP FOR CROSS-COUNTY FTAS met recently with Geoff Gleason, Appropriations Associate for Cong. Frank Wolf, concerning the Cross-County Trail. He will help support TCSP Transportation and Community and System Preservation Program) funding for the trail. What would help most, he said, is e-mail (or US mail) from WOLF's CONSTITUENTS to geoff.gleason@mailhouse.gov or (better yet, regular mail to) Geoffrey Gleason Office of Cong. Frank R. Wolf 241 Cannon Wash DC 20515 The e-mail or mail would say, at minimum: "Please support TCSP funding for the Fairfax Cross-County Trail in the fiscal 2001 Transportation Appropriation Conference Report. I live in your district at (address)" Wolf's district includes the westernmost NoVa suburbs and parts of Fx Co, e.g. Great Falls, McLean outside 495, Oakton, Centerville, Chantilly, Clifton...

SEPT 25 FTAS MEETING AGENDA (Usual place, 7 NOT 7:30) --- 7:00 to 8:00 Karen Lanham of the Fx Co Park Authority, Planning and Development Division, will discuss plans for Pimmit Run and Cross-County Trail. --- 8:00 to 9:00 Steve Dryden will discuss history of the Pimmit stream valley area and show drafts of the historic map of the area that is under preparation.

CORRECTION ON E-ADDRESS FOR GEOFF GLEASON Geoff Gleason's e-mail address was given incorrectly. It is Geoff.gleason@mail.house.gov There is still time (till about Sept 12) to write to him to support TCSP funding for the Fairfax Cross-County Trail and the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. The Great Falls Trailblazers have also proposed a worthy TCSP project, Great Falls Community Linkage Project (along Georgetown Pike). The important thing is to get your pro-trails e-mail in to him asap!

DELEGATE CALLAHAN SUPPORTS PIMMIT TRAIL Delegate Vince Callahan spoke at the August 28 FTAS meeting. He was very interested in the work FTAS has been doing for the Pimmit and Cross-County Trails, and offered to get some state funding for the Pimmit trail next year. He asked us to present him with a specific proposal.

NVCT SEEKS TREE-PLANTING VOLUNTEERS The Northern Virginia Conservation Trust is hosting a tree planting event on Saturday September 23rd from 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. They will be planting 50 evergreen trees on a property that they have a conservation easement on. This site is also intended as a future park site. It is between the City of Falls Church and Tysons Corner, just a couple blocks off Rt. 7. If you can attend, please call 703-354-5093.

PROGRESS ON 3 SECTIONS OF THE CROSS-COUNTY TRAIL A section of the Cross-County Trail linking Pickett Road with Eakin Park is under construction and should be finished this fall. Another section, from Little River Turnpike to King Arthur Road, is funded and expected to be completed in 2002. Design for a third section, Leigh Mill Road to Great Falls Park (three Difficult Run stream crossings) is expected to start late this year, with completion in 2003.

BOS VOTES $500,000 ADDITIONAL FOR CROSS-COUNTY TRAIL This funding was approved this month, from the county budget surplus. This will be a topic for our next meeting Monday.

SEPT 25 FTAS MEETING (Usual place, NOT usual time!) - 7:00 to 8:00 Karen Lanham of the Fx Co Park Authority, Planning and Development Division, will discuss plans for Pimmit Run and Cross-County Trail. - 8:00 to 9:00 Steve Dryden will discuss history of the Pimmit stream valley area and show drafts of the historic map of the area that is under preparation.

LAST 2 FTAS MEETINGS OF 2000: Nov 6 and Dec.4 FTAS' final two meetings for 2000 are Monday evenings at 7:30 on Nov. 6 and Dec. 4. There will be no meeting in October. Tim Aiken, trails aide to Congressman Jim Moran, is our tentative speaker for Dec. 4.

SEPT 24 RECEPTION with Mendelsohn, Hanley, Callahan (Great Falls Trailblazers) Eleanor Weck writes: Please encourage your friends to stop by the Grange on Georgetown Pike, Sunday, Sept. 24, even for a few minutes between 2:00 and 4:00. Vince Callahan, Stu Mendelsohn and Kate Hanley will be there at 3:00. It's important that we thank them - without their support we would get nowhere. WE NEED TO SHOW THEM HOW MANY OF US SUPPORT TRAILS. There will be sparkling cider and water as well as champagne, and pastries, so bring your children. There is plenty of parking behind the new library.

REMINDER: NVCT VOLUNTEER TREE-PLANTING TOMORROW (Sat 9/23) The Northern Virginia Conservation Trust is hosting a tree planting event on Saturday September 23rd from 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. We will be planting 50 evergreen trees on a property that we have a conservation easement on. This site is also intended as a future park site. It is between the City of Falls Church and Tysons Corner, just a couple blocks off Rt. 7. If you can attend, please let me know at 703-354-5093.