On January 23, 2024 Fairfax City Council failed to make any changes in the already approved and funded George Snyder Trail. The following is a draft of a letter sent prior to that meeting signed by several past and then present elected city officials urging that the trail be completed as approved. That worked.

     The reason we have started this petition is that a new City Council is trying to kill the project. That would entail giving up the approved funding of $20M dollars of non-taxpayer money plus repaying up to $3.7M out of the city treasury. Under the current nationwide political climate we may have difficulty in the future of acquiring such a large amount of money.

October 20, 2023

Dear Mayor Read and City Council: 

As former elected officials and community leaders, we request that you take immediate action to complete the George Snyder Trail as a dedicated, off-road paved trail.  

The Snyder Trail will provide a critical, east-west connection to our existing trail system in the City and region and provide our residents with safe access to our close-by natural environment and recreational opportunities for persons of every age and ability.  The trail has been subject to extensive review and comment by the public, as well as trail specialists from our region and the Commonwealth and this feedback has been incorporated into the final design. The trail has also been supported consistently by previous City councils, and is a priority in our comprehensive plan, our Parks and Recreation Master Plan, our bike way and intermodal plan, and our Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, as well as numerous citizens throughout our community and region.

The design of the trail accommodates the goal of ensuring that its impact on existing trees and the watershed is kept to a minimum, and the plan preserves and protects trees to the maximum extent possible.  Additionally, the trail’s design contains safety provisions that include substantial sightline and lighting to enhance the safety for all users.

There has been a considerable amount of public comment on the Snyder Trail and the proposal before the Council reflects much of the input received.  We believe this project will add substantially to the city trails inventory, making our community even more walkable, accessible, and connected.

In short, let’s get this done.  This trail will provide current residents and future generations with an invaluable asset that will ensure that the City of Fairfax continues to be the distinctive and quality community we all enjoy.

Thank you for your service to our city.  Please vote in favor of the Snyder Trail.

Mark Angres                                                      Jennifer Passey
Former Chair, Planning Commission               Former Councilmember                     

Michael DeMarco                                               Tom Peterson, Chair
Former Councilmember                                          Environmental Sustainability                                                                                                     Committee

James Feather                                                    Sarah Ross, Chair
Chair, Planning Commission                              Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

John Mason                                                         Steve Stombres                       
Former Mayor                                                      Former Mayor

David Meyer                                                         Beth Young, Chair                                        Former Mayor                                                      Economic Development Authority                                          

Janice Miller                                                                                                     
Former Councilmember