From the Trailhead - March 2021

We are literally building bridges to welcome new trail users!
Over the past few weekends, we were able to rally a group of dedicated volunteers and community members to construct raised boardwalks through a chronically muddy section of the Dahlgren Trail. When the Sheetz-To-Sheetz Trail Run appeared on our doorstep this year, we wanted to ensure that all walkers, runners, hikers, and wheelchair athletes could successfully navigate the trail in time to enjoy this popular local event.

• Our story was picked up by the Free Lance-Star, the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the Washington Post, and the Associated Press!

In addition to the construction of the trail bridges, there have been additional coordinated efforts to remove downed trees and other trail obstructions, clean up litter, clear parking areas, and improve drainage in certain spots along the trail. We would not be able to achieve these accomplishments without the generosity of our volunteers. We'd like to give a huge "Thanks!" to all who have contributed to the health and visibility of the trail including Chris Chalkley, Warren Veazey, Dillon Veazey, Kevin Biondi, Jim Buckley, Chris Reinhardt, Annie Cupka, David Gaske, Michele Tritt, John Wiltenmuth, and some local groups including Scout Troop 199 from Stafford, Troop 191 from King George, Troop 0110 from Ladysmith, Troop 1203 from California, MD, and several deputies from the King George Sheriff's Office.

In addition to the two recent events on the trail, the Dahlgren Trail Half Marathon & Sheetz-To-Sheetz Trail Run, we have been continuing our quest for dry conditions and improved drainage in several areas along the trail. Our friend Ian Littlejohn has also been assisting us with some much needed surveying work; differing types of rail corridor boundaries were installed in the early 1940s when the railroad was being constructed. Over the years, those boundaries have been lost or moved around. Our efforts to clean up those boundary areas, identify clean property lines of homeowners adjacent to the trail, and identify historical markers are important not just to the preservation of trail history but also to allow for informed trail expansion plans and decisions.

For those trail users who have followed us for a few years, you may recall the former superintendent of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, Don Briggs. He retired some years ago and a new acting superintendent Anne O'Neill will be vising the trail later this month. The Dahlgren Trail is a piece of the 830-mile long Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, and we are happy to welcome Anne and continue our goal of being an integrated into current trail systems and the VA State Park System.

Lastly, we are proud to recognize trail owner, David G. Brickley. A lifelong advocate and champion of trails, greenways and conservation efforts in Virginia, David recently earned the Boy Scouts of America William T. Hornaday Gold Medal for Distinguished Service to Natural Resource Conservation! The William T. Hornaday Award, first granted in 1915, is the oldest continuous conservation award given by any organization in the United States. It’s one of the rarest awards given in the Boy Scouts of America, as only 62 people have received the gold medal award since 1915. Read more about David and his contributions to the great outdoor spaces in Virginia, click here.

Thanks for reading, and see you on the trail!