Accotink Stream Valley Trail

Accotink Creek Trail through Byron Ave Park

The Accotink Creek Trail, also known as section two of the Fairfax Cross-County Trail, extends south from Lake Accotink Park (map) - Springfield, Virginia's recreation hotspot. If you have hiked or biked this section of trail in the past, you may notice something different about it now: 2.3 miles of trail, from the main parking lot in Lake Accotink Park to Hunter Village Drive, have been re-routed, paved, and adorned with three steel bridges that cross the creek along the way. In many ways, it's a striking change from the natural surface trail that existed prior to the construction of the paved trail. But was it change for better or for worse? Therein lies the dilemma.

Trail Voice believes that the key to protecting the outdoors is first to get people outdoors. Offering a recreational option in the form of a paved trail through the forest has the potential to draw individuals who otherwise would not be interacting with the natural environment. As Fairfax County contends, pavement stabilizes the trail and opens it to all users (including users with disabilities). However, in the over-stressed Accotink Creek watershed, the consequences of paving (i.e. tree cutting, increased impervious surface area, and wildlife habitat disruption) draws the ire of local environmental organizations like Friends of Accotink Creek and Lands and Waters. These organizations are concerned with the health of the stream - a concern at odds with the concept of pavement.

As the Accotink Creek Trail illustrates, balancing the need for recreation facilities with natural environment protection can be a tricky endeavor - in some cases, with no obvious answer.

Trail Stats: 2.3 miles - Lake Accotink Dam to Hunter Village Drive
Trail Type: Paved surface (8 ft wide); multi-use
Trail Map: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/cct/downloads/cct2.pdf
Administration: Fairfax County Park Authority

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Tags: Northern Virginia Hike Bike

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