About 100 guests joined the Friends of the W&OD Trail last Saturday for a picnic at Walter Mess Plaza, and to pay homage to the man for whom the plaza was named. Mess, who established the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority and was a member of its board for more than 45 years, passed away on Sunday, May 26. He helped to create the Washington & Old Dominion Trail and is known as the “Father of the W&OD Trail.” Pictured above attending the celebration picnic are Falls Church City Vice Mayor David Snyder; Roger Neighborgall, president of the Friends of the W&OD Trail; and Barry Buschow, founding member of the Friends and NVRPA board member from Falls Church. (Courtesy Photo)