NATIONAL TRAILS DAY.....we turned the corner

Each June we expand our regular work days into a celebration of National Trails Day and hold our annual meeting. This year we lay a wonderful new trail section on the UVa North Grounds. The trail parallels the 250 Bypass for a little more than a full mile while crossing the headwaters of Meadow Creek four times.

We had to plan for independent work crews all along the trail. We had two major bridge projects, the clearing around the 1806 Poor House, installation of many water bars and basic trail clearing. Mary Hughes supplied detail maps; Betsy Dalgliesh brought the much-needed walkie talkies; and John Holden kept us all on track. Amazingly, we lost no tools in the forest and no one got hurt. We planned tee shirts and food for a hundred workers. Not everyone got a shirt, but all were fed. The greased cooperation of near strangers working together is amazing and wonderous.

With this new section we can really see the trail encircling the City of Charlottesville. Now it is possible to walk, hike or bike from the Woolen Mills all the way around the north and west sides to Route 250 West. We are on track to complete the circle by next summer. 

Folks Sign Up                       Scouts Uncover the             Building a Bridge                The Work Crew
                                            Poor House
 

TRAIL GUIDES AND SIGNS.....a helping hand from the Commonwealth

The Virginia Department of Forestry has awarded us a $2,500 matching grant to revise and upgrade the trail guide. With the latest expansion of the trail, the old guides are sadly incomplete. Originally drafted by Dede Smith some four years ago, they have served us well.

We still hope to win another grant to purchase nice wood signs for all the trail heads as the trail weaves between the City and County in its circuit. These will replace our false start with the solid but ever-confusing Meadow Creek East and Meadow Creek West roadside signposts.
 
 

SECOND SATURDAYS....the rush is on

Our goal is to essentially complete the circle around Charlottesville by the summer of 2000. It can be done, but we will need to target the next ten workdays on the south side. So, come on out.

We meet the second Saturday of each month from 9:00 -11:30am. We have tools, but bring shears or clippers if you have them. We meet at the trail head on Melbourne Road just east of the Charlottesville High School football field and caravan to the work site. If you want to go directly to the project or plan on being late, call the workday leader.  General questions? Call John Conover, 293-5622.  Saturdays 9:00-11:00am Everyone Welcome!

Trails on the Mall

A Display of Photos by our great photographer Eben Smith at the Virginia National Bank during August & September. Come see the "Wilderness In Our Backyard".
 
 

RIVANNA TRAILS FOUNDATION
Footpaths encircling Charlottesville

For More Information Contact:

Rivanna Trails Foundation
P.O. Box 1786, Charlottesville, VA 22902 
Tel: 804-923-9022
Internet: johnc@justice4all.org

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