On June 6, 2009, 250-plus volunteer trail stewards participated in one of four Washington DC area National Trails Day (NTD) event. NTD events took place in Riverbend Park (Fairfax County, VA); Bles Park (Loudoun County, VA); Schaeffer Farm Trail System (Montgomery County, MD); and Greenbelt Park (Prince George's County, MD). Taking advantage of the partly cloudy 70 degree weather (after a week of rain), the event was an unquestionable success. A big thank you is in order for REI and their all-star outreach team. Thank you notes are also in the mail for the Fairfax County Park Authority (Riverbend Park), Potomac Heritage Trail Association (Bles Park), Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (Schaeffer Farm), Friends of Still Creek (Greenbelt Park), and the National Capital Parks - East division of the National Park Service (Greenbelt Park). The Washington DC area is lucky to have a core group of organizations, and motivated volunteers, dedicated to preserving and expanding our outdoor recreation opportunities. Number of Volunteers: 54 - including five families
Key Projects: - Built a stairway up a steep, short slope where the trail goes over a rocky promontory
- Eradicated 1/4 acre of microstegium (Japanese stilt grass) and replanted the area with native grasses
- Re-cut, widened, and graded 600 yards of trail along the brow of a high bluff
Number of Volunteers: 33 - including six kids
Key Projects: - Built 1.5 miles of trail along Broad Run extending the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail to the Police Training Academy near Route 7
Upcoming Initiatives:
- Construct bridge or stepping stones designed to cross Broad Run
- Build additional trail along Broad Run and connect it to the W&OD
Number of volunteers: 70 - including large contingents from Whole Foods and Washington Gas
Key Projects: - Reinforced stream crossings
- Lopped overgrowth throughout the trail system
- Re-routed trail sections for erosion control
Upcoming Initiatives: - Build five mile trail to connect Schaeffer Farm to Clopper Lake Day Use Area
Number of volunteers: 100 plus - including the Mayor of Greenbelt, "J" Davis
Key Projects: - Cleaned the Still Creek section along Kenilworth Ave.
- Removed invasive plants growing within the park
- Repaired trail boardwalk and pursued additional trail maintenance projects
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