On May 27, 2025 Fairfax City Council once again pondered what decision to make about the George Snyder Trail. VDOT has given the city until June 30 to decide. Two choices seem most likely. Construct the trail and start the bidding process, or cancel the trail and give up the $21M in funding obtained from noncity sources. In addition, $3.7M would need to be paid back from the city coffer for money spent on design. Most likely the discussion will resume at the council's June 10 meeting.
During this pause we thought it might be interesting to revisit the information presented in 2020 when a public hearing was held at the 60% design stage. That is the time when citizens are provided the best opportunity to make suggestions that could be incorporated into the design. The follow is taken from the city website:
How will the trail impact trees?
Completing the trail requires the removal of trees. Every effort is made to limit the removal of healthy trees by limiting the construction clearing area to the trail width when possible, to save specimen trees, and to utilize tree protection methods during construction. Trees removed will be replaced with Virginia native trees.
What environmental considerations are being incorporated as part of the trail plan?
The trail is being designed with several features that incorporate context-sensitive design including stormwater features such as porous pavement, boardwalks, dry swales, conservation areas, and rain gardens. In addition, the trail is outside the floodplain as much as possible, invasive plants and vines will be removed, and native trees and plants will be added.
Will there be educational components along the trail?
The trail will have educational features to include overlooks, educational signage, stormwater features that can be used as learning labs, and public art.
What will be the annual maintenance costs?
According to the Rails-to-Trails Conservatory, the average annual cost for trail maintenance per mile is $2,077. In addition, trails will have to be repaved every 20 years. Current cost to repave would be approximately $350,000.
How was the proposed trail alignment determined?
The trail alignment was originally planned in the early 2000s and reexamined in 2016-17 as part of the submission for funding application. Alignment considerations included the location of the floodplain with the desire to stay out of it for environmental, construction and maintenance issues. In addition, the 2035 Comprehensive Plan, 2018 Multimodal Transportation Plan and the 2014 Parks and Recreation Strategic Plan recommended the trail link the Route 50 corridor in light of proposed and future development. Finally, the trail was located away from the residential development of Mosby Woods so that any trail usage and lights would not impact the adjacent homeowners.
What is the project schedule?
The project design is scheduled to be complete in fall of 2021. Construction is scheduled to begin in late spring 2022.
3 years later after several modifications to reduce tree loss and reduce environmental impacts, the trail still has not been built. Please urge the Fairfax City Council to VOTE YES and SAVE THE GEORGE SNYDER TRAIL!! MayorandCouncil@fairfaxva.gov