Community Corner

McCoart-to-Occoquan Trail: Thumbs Up from Lake Ridge Board

The planned trail travels approximately 8 miles, with the majority running through Lake Ridge common ground.

This is welcome news for many Lake Ridge residents. Are you excited about the proposed trail? Tell us in the comments section below!

Release, Lake Ridge Parks & Recreation Association:

At a special board meeting held on February 25, 2014, the Lake Ridge Parks
and Recreation Association (LRPRA) voted unanimously to enter into an
agreement with the Prince William County Department of Parks and Recreation
to lease LRPRA common ground as part of the  McCoart-to-Occoquan Trail
System.

Lake Ridge is a 42-year-old unincorporated planned community of 41,000
residents on the banks of the Occoquan Reservoir.  With over 7,300 members
and stretching over 4,000 acres, Lake Ridge is among the largest homeowners
associations in the nation.

The planned trail travels approximately 8 miles, with the majority running
through Lake Ridge common ground. In addition to several existing paved and
gravel paths currently maintained by the association, there are many
informal paths that crisscross throughout Lake Ridge. Many of these paths
offer stunning views of the Occoquan Reservoir and traverse through hilly,
undisturbed forested land.

Once in Occoquan, hikers may connect to several nearby foot and bike paths -
such as the Fairfax Cross County trail, US 1 bike route, East Coast
Greenway, the Potomac Heritage National Scenic trail, and the Occoquan Water
trail. Occoquan is a destination for shopping and dining and the Town is
currently planning a small park and amphitheater.

The concept of a McCoart-to-Occoquan trail has been discussed and supported
by the LRPRA board for over 10 years. When the community was originally
developed, connected walking trails weren't considered. Several years ago,
Prince William County approved an investment of over $700,000 to manage and
improve this trail, which may include board walks, footbridges, and erosion
control measures, in addition to lighting, trail markers, and kiosks. The
trail has been divided into sections, and LRPRA members will have the
opportunity to review and approve the specific location of the trail through
each section.

The LRPRA Board has a history of successful joint projects with Prince
William County. The recently opened dog park on Minnieville Road is
situated on property owned by LRPRA and leased to PWC under an arrangement
similar to that of the trail. The LRPRA board worked closely with Occoquan
District Supervisor Mike May, Debra Andrew and Michael DePue of the Prince
William County Department of Parks and Recreation, and Earnie Porta, Mayor
of Occoquan.  The board also held many meetings and town hall style events
to solicit feedback from members of LRPRA.


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