A Penny For Your Thoughts:
News of Greater Falls Church

By Penny Gross (D-Mason)
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors

Even the weather cooperated as hundreds of Fairfax County trail enthusiasts gathered at five different sites to inaugurate the new Cross-County Trail (CCT) on Saturday. The Cross-County Trail, more than 40 miles long, begins at Great Falls in the Difficult Run Stream Valley , and meanders in a mostly southerly direction through Oak Marr Recreation Center , along Blake Lane , and into the Accotink Stream Valley near Camelot and down to Wakefield Park . It continues along the east side of Lake Accotink , eventually joining with the Pohick Stream Valley to Laurel Hill and ends at Occoquan Regional Park at the southern boundary of Fairfax County .

Saturday’s ribbon cuttings were held at Great Falls where hikers and bikers set out for a full day’s trail tour, at Oak Marr Recreation Center, at Wakefield Park, Lake Accotink and, finally, at the new Laurel Hill Golf Club at the other end of the county. The hikers really had to push to complete the trail in time to make the evening’s festivities, but the bikers had it a little better. They were able to make each ribbon-cutting ceremony in their blue shirts and helmets and black biker shorts. Each also wore a “camel,” a water container with plastic tubing that snaked over their shoulder from a backpack. The straw-like tubing allows the biker to sip water during the ride without having to stop and battle bottle tops – a pretty nifty invention.

The hikers completed their 40-mile hike in time, but one of the bikers admitted to me that the first 14 miles of the trail were difficult. Although the trail is accessible generally for walkers, bicyclists, pets on leash, and equestrians, trail surfaces vary from paved sections to dirt covered paths, and even muddy areas with stream crossings.

Most of the CCT lies within green, shaded stream valleys. Off limits to developers, the county’s stream valleys support biodiversity and wildlife. This parkland serves many purposes, but one of the most important is to protect our streams. Vegetation near streams helps to slow or stop nutrients, e.g. fertilizer run off, animal waste, from entering the water, and the roots help stabilize the stream banks and prevent erosion. A happy benefit of this stewardship is the rich diversity of plants that adorn the trailside, and the wood frogs, spring peepers, American toads, and spotted salamanders that take advantage of wetlands and vernal pools for reproduction.

Our stream valley parks are a rare and wonderful resource, and Fairfax County was wise to protect these spaces from development and ensure their survival. The new CCT offers opportunities for Fairfax County families to enjoy a day in the outdoors in addition to the many parks, picnic areas, and athletic activities that can be found through- out the countywide park system. Plan your family outing today!