Milestones

Year Milestone
2023 PHNST feasibility study for Western Loudoun (Leesburg to WV) funded by NPS, Loudoun
2023 Prince William Co funds Powell's Creek Boardwalk design for $500,000
2023 Annual Value to No. VA Economy of PHNST estimated at $494 million
2022 Opening of Bull Run Loop Trail section under I66 (hiking/equestrian) along Bull Run
2022 PHNST segment (1 mile) along Broad Run (accessed at Bles Park) opens (at NoVa Criminal Justice)
2021 Loudoun County adopts ambitious trails plan
2019 Kimley Horn report shows feasibility of PHNST segment Great Falls Park to McLean
2019 Neabsco Boardwalk (Woodbridge) opens, key part of PHNST
2019 Toole Design study shows feasibility for PHNST segment Lorton VRE to CCT at Pohick Creek
2017 Evan Marshak becomes FTAS Webmaster
2017 Fairfax Trails and Streams meets repeatedly with the I-66 Planning Team to advocate better routes for the Cross County Trail and West County Trail, away from traffic when possible.
2017 Fairfax Co Board of Supervisors officially recognizes the Sully Loop Trail and the Bull Run Loop Trail
2017 Fairfax City elevates the Snyder Trail, which FTAS advocated, to its highest transportation priority. Trail achieves $13.5 million in funding as part of I-66 widening. Construction bids to go out in late 2018.
2016 FTAS advocates for the Sully Loop Trail and the Bull Run Loop Trails
2015 FTAS advocates the “Snyder Trail” to Fairfax City the original route of the Cross County Trail (allowing the CCT to follow the upper Accotink creek, avoiding 3 miles along busy roads)
2015 Pickett Road Underpass opens in Fairfax City, part of a Cross County Trail reroute option FTAS has advocated.
2014 Fairfax Co Board of Supervisors officially recognizes the West County Trail
2013 Oct 26 and Nov 2: First West County Trail hike, led by Glenn Gillis of Sierra Club PRO
2012 FTAS advocates for the Bull Run/Reston Trail (now known as the West County Trail).
2010-11 Ed Pickens mentors six Eagle Scouts to build six bridges in northern Fairfax County, on the Potomac Heritage Trail north of Riverbend Park.
2007 Cross County Trail Volunteer Committee wins Elly Doyle Award
2006 May 6: CCT Opening Ceremony
2005 June 15: Noman Cole Trail Opens (1 mile of Potomac Heritage Trail in Lorton), built by volunteers from FTAS and partner groups.
2005 Dec 13: Volunteers from FTAS and partner groups, led by Fx Co Park Authority, assemble 27’ bridge on CCT south of Dulles Toll Road
2003 “Ultimate Cross County Hike” literally crossed Fairfax County, from Occoquan (in Prince William Co.) to Algonkian Park (in Loudoun Co.)
2003 CCT Volunteer Committee forms; Fx Co Park Authority with volunteers (Bev Dickerson, Randy Kerr, Bill Niedringhaus, Ed Pickens, Robin Rentsch, Sue Wakefield); meets quarterly for next 3 years til CCT is complete.
2001 FTAS wins grants of $3000 from McLean Citizens Foundation and Fairfax History Commission to design and print large-scale historic map of Pimmit Run (these are for sale at ___).
2001 FTAS wins Fairfax Co. Park Authority’s Elly Doyle Award
2000 Supv. Gerry Connolly advocates for CCT; secures first funding ($400,000)
2000 Fairfax Trails and Streams wins American Hiking Society Trail Development Award
1999 First annual Pimmit Run Litter Cleanup
1999 June 5-6: First Cross County Hike (Saratoga Elem School to Colvin Run
1999 3 Saturdays in November: Cross County Hike (Saratoga to Great Falls Vis. Center)
1998 First partial Cross County Hike (Oak Marr northward)
1997 First FTAS public trail-building worktrip, on Pimmit Run at Kent Gardens, with 8 volunteers, to repair a washout
1997 First public advocacy of Cross County Trail, by Bill Niedringhaus
1992 Friends of Pimmit Run formed, to advocate for the Pimmit Run Trail
1991 First public advocacy of Pimmit Run Trail, by Bill Niedringhaus
Ongoing Ed Pickens and his FTAS crew maintain the Pimmit Run Trail, including 8 fords.
Ongoing Ed Pickens leads semiannual litter cleanups along Pimmit Run and other McLean streams