Free Lance-Star: Paths get regional support – 20 October, 2006

Plan envisioned to tie local bicycle and pedestrian pathways into network of other systems along the East Coast. Imagine a network of bicycle and pedestrian paths crisscrossing the Fredericksburg area and connecting with larger trail systems along the East Coast. That’s the aim of a new initiative announced last night by the Rappahannock Group of the Sierra Club and a panel of local and state planning agencies.

“This is something we could do that would fit in with our goals and help promote the development of a network of bike paths,” said Scott Howson, former city councilman and a Sierra Club executive committee member. The aim is to connect residential areas, commuter stations and lots, shopping, recreational sites and schools so people can travel without adding to road congestion.

Also on hand were representatives of the Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, Virginia Department of Transportation, George Washington Regional Commission (formerly RADCO), Fredericksburg Pathways Partners, and East Coast Greenways.

Map: Click to enlarge

“We want to build a consensus on what ought to occur,” said Lloyd Robinson of the George Washington Regional Commission.

He suggested several objectives, including a mission for the region, a regional planning committee, an inventory of available funding programs, design standards, a schedule for planning, and what each locality has done.

“Walking, hiking, cycling are the number one activities of what citizens of Virginia want,” said David Brickley, representing East Coast Greenways. That is a multiuse trail which eventually would stretch 2,600 miles from Maine to Key West. Brickley, a former Virginia legislator and former director of the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, is developing a related project, the Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail, in King George County.

One nearby model is the Metropolitan Richmond Greenway Initiative.

“It’s called ‘Restore the Core’ ” said Charles Price, with the Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club in Richmond, “with the idea of making cities habitable again.” It includes the James River Park System and Monument Avenue, with other links in the works in adjoining counties.

David Jennings, who recently moved to Stafford County with his family, praised the group for beginning the planning process. He would like to see more and better trails. He was among about 40 people who turned out for the session in Fredericksburg.

“It’s been great, and the history is amazing here,” he said.

David Patton, with VDOT, said that bike paths and pedestrian trails are on the agency’s radar screen. Due to recent policy changes, he said, the needs of bicycles and pedestrians must be accommodated in all new construction projects.

“There is a willingness to do our best to address those needs.”

Funds are available for pathways projects, but they compete with other transportation projects deemed higher priorities. Gov. Tim Kaine has said he supports bike and pedestrian trails to help ease Virginia’s transportation problems.