This Tuesday's Fairfax City Council meeting is very likely to decide the fate of the George Snyder Trail. After decades of planning and citizen involvement a decision should be forthcoming.  In 2020 a public hearing was held at the 60% design phase. Public comments were received and modifications were made with the emphasis on making the trail more environmentally friendly. The 100% design plan was later approved by City Council. However, in 2024 nearby neighbors and environmentalists persuaded some council members to reconsider this choice. Unable to get the votes to alter or kill the plan, the previous decision was affirmed, and staff was directed to go ahead with right of way acquisition. City Council had only to approve the results of that acquisition, and the trail would be built. However, with most of that acquisition complete, a newly elected City Council decided to question the previous decision.

     Fast forward to today. The same three choices are up for a vote.

• Construct the full trail as planed
• Cancel the project and give back the $21M in I-66 funds already awarded and pay a penalty of $3.7M for the money spent on trail design
• Construct only the western half, give back $9M, and pay a $1.7M penalty

     Half a trail forces pedestrians and cyclists to decide on what city streets to chose to complete the trip from the I-66 Trail to the Wilcoxon and eventually to the Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail and eliminates the benefits of a travel on peaceful, wooded path. To quote Mayor Catherine Read: "I am surprised that everyone has agreed that building half the trail is an acceptable alternative to an 11-year project that has a lot of staff hours, previous councils, an advisory board and previous mayors supporting building a trail that connects other trails in Northern Virginia, regionally. This building half a trail dumps this shared-use path out in the middle of a residential neighborhood."

     Please contact the Mayor and City Council to let them know that you support the full build out of the full George Snyder Trail. MayorandCouncil@fairfaxva.gov In addition we encourage you to come and speak at the June 10 City Council meeting to make your voices heard. The meeting starts at 7PM. You may register by calling the City Clerk's Office at (703) 385-7935. Otherwise, you may sign in at the meeting to speak.