Stop the destruction of woodlands in Fairfax City 

“Bike roads” threaten the few remaining woodlands in the City

We ask the City of Fairfax to recognize the immense role that mature trees and intact forests play in stormwater management, biodiversity, and climate, and to take measures to preserve our remnant forests.

The City has 5 proposed bikeways - George Snyder, Pickett Road Connecter, Country Club Hills Connector, John Mason Trail, & Van Dyck to Wilcoxon Connector, that will irreversibly damage woodlands, wetlands and streams that are home to our native wildlife. Adjacent, already paved, alternatives can instead become welcoming “Neighborways”.  

These woods cannot be improved by pavement

 The proposed bikeways will result in:

• The loss of 7-8 acres of woodland habitat
• More than 3,300 pounds of carbon added to the atmosphere per year that would otherwise be captured by the 1200+ mature trees that will be cut down
• More than 600,000 additional gallons of stormwater per year that will no longer be intercepted by those trees 
• Additional flooding impacts felt downstream, all the way to the Chesapeake Bay

There is a solution – the fiscally and environmentally responsible choice is to create a safer pedestrian and bike network by improving our many existing sidewalks, trails, and roads. Focusing on improving our existing infrastructure will not only protect our woodlands but will also make it safer to bike and walk around our city and easier to reach our local businesses on foot or bike.

      Parallel to Pickett Road and within a stones-throw, this trail is pointless.

Existing alternatives to the George Snyder Trail are waiting to become “Neighborways.”

Tell your elected leaders to stop the destruction of woodlands for the creation of forest roadways in the City of Fairfax. Instead, let’s improve upon our existing network of asphalt and pavement to knit together a safe pedestrian and bike friendly network that will benefit City residents and businesses for generations to come.

“Trees are poems that the earth writes upon the sky.” — Kahlil Gibran