PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – A federal study aimed at closing major gaps in the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (PHNST) is nearing completion, marking a significant step forward in Prince William County’s long-term effort to expand its trail network and connect communities.
The $375,000 study, funded by the Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP), identifies preferred alignments to close three key gaps in the trail:
- Gap 1: From the Town of Occoquan to Belmont Bay, constrained by an already-built urban environment and the need to cross I-95, Route 1, and CSX rail lines.
- Gap 2: From the Town of Dumfries to Prince William Forest Park, requiring coordination with town development plans and safe passage across I-95.
- Gap 3: From Prince William Forest Park to the National Museum of the Marine Corps, including the challenge of crossing Joplin Road and its busy interchange.
A fourth gap—from the Potomac Shores Virginia Railway Express (VRE) station to Dumfries—was not part of the FLAP study because earlier plans depicted it as a direct on-road connection. However, the county’s 2040 Mobility Plan now calls for a trail alignment through shared-use paths and open space areas within the Potomac Shores development.
Trail advocates say recommendations from the subcommittee reviewing the study will be forwarded to the Prince William Trails and Blueways Council and could shape the final Trails Master Plan, expected to go before the Board of County Supervisors for adoption in January.
Meanwhile, a prominent segment of the PHNST already open to the public—the Neabsco Creek Boardwalk in Woodbridge—offers a model for future trail development. The ¾-mile ADA-accessible boardwalk, which opened in 2019, spans the sensitive wetlands of the Julie J. Metz Wetlands Preserve. The elevated trail, popular with birdwatchers and families, features interpretive signage and observation decks and was designed to minimize environmental impact while improving access to nature.
Despite progress, no funding has yet been secured for designing or building any of the trail segments identified in the study. The next opportunity for funding arises during the county’s FY27 budget cycle, which commences with internal planning in October and public participation in January.
A coalition of trail supporters is encouraging residents to speak up. Last spring, a push to increase trail funding to $5 million in the FY26 budget nearly succeeded, with the Board of County Supervisors retaining $1 million in base funding. Supervisors have signaled they may support a $5 million trail investment in FY27 if public support remains strong.
In addition to the PHNST developments, the Board recently approved a related trail project in Haymarket: a $3 million underpass under Route 15 near Catharpin Creek that will connect the Dominion Valley neighborhood to James Long Park and Battlefield High School. The project replaces a shelved pedestrian bridge proposal and is funded largely by developer contributions.
Woodbridge District Supervisor Margaret Franklin led the groundbreaking ceremony today for the new segment of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail at Featherstone Wildlife Refuge. Addressing community members and representatives from various agencies, Franklin emphasized the significance of this project in enhancing local recreation and connectivity.
Franklin highlighted the collaborative efforts that made this new trail segment possible, involving Virginia Railway Express, the Virignia Department of Transportation, Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. “This project represents the strong collaboration efforts for which our community is known,” Franklin said. She outlined the trail’s features, including approximately one mile of natural surface trails, 1,100 linear feet of wetland boardwalk, and two pedestrian bridges that navigate delicate ecosystems.
The construction, with a budget of $3.5 million, includes funds from ARPA, development proffers, and the NVTA. Franklin expressed pride in the county’s commitment to expanding the trail network and meeting the high demand for recreational trails among residents. “I look forward to returning to its grand opening,” she added, underscoring the community’s anticipation for the completed trail.
The Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail within Prince William County aims to link several parks and historic sites across 20 miles, enhancing the county’s identity as a destination for outdoor activities. This segment will connect Leesylvania State Park to Belmont Bay, further integrating the county’s scenic and wildlife areas into the broader trail network.
The trail stretches from the mouth of the Potomac River at the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia to the Allegheny Highlands in Pennsylvania and became part of the National Scenic Trail system of the National Park Service in 1983.
Featherstone shopping center redevelopment
Joe Jacobs, Vice President at Elm Street Communities, will take the floor to present plans for partially redeveloping the Featherstone shopping center. The ambitious project includes adding a new coffee shop, housing units, and revitalizing part of the vacant commercial space adjacent to Gabe’s clothing store.
In 2015, developers unveiled Featherstone Station, introducing 118 new three-level townhomes with garages. Situated across from Featherstone Square, these townhomes represent some of the newest construction in the area in over 50 years. The Featherstone Square shopping center, once home to Dart Drug, Safeway, and Kilroy’s restaurant, has witnessed several transformations over the years. While various tenants have come and gone, the McDonald’s restaurant in the parking lot remains a steadfast presence.
Trail development and park enhancements
In addition to the redevelopment plans, the WPCCA meeting will feature Janet Bartnik, Deputy Director at the Prince William County Department of Parks, Recreation, & Tourism. Bartnik will provide insights into trail development and unveil new activities and features planned for the county’s parks and trails.
Prince William County boasts three major “greenway” trail corridors, with the Neabsco and Occoquan greenways closest to Woodbridge. The Neabsco Creek Greenway, spanning 10 miles along the Neabsco Creek stream valley, aims to connect park sites, schools, and recreation centers. Currently, 2.5 miles of the trail are complete, linking Waterworks Water Park, Andrew Leitch Park, and the VEPCO ball fields.
The Occoquan Greenway, designed to link the County Government Complex to the Town of Occoquan, offers trail users a mix of paved and natural surface trails. Segments One, Two, Three, and Four are in various stages of development, with some segments fully open and others partially accessible.
On a national scale, Woodbridge boasts a segment of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (PHNST). Meandering through Woodbridge in segments, the trail runs through Featherstone Shores, Belmont Bay, Rippon Landing, and the Neabsco Creek Boardwalk over the Metz Wetlands, part of the national scenic trail.
The PHNST is akin to other well-known national trails, like the Appalachian and Pacific Crest trails in the east and west.
The WPCCA meeting will commence at 7 p.m. in the atrium. Parking is available in the adjacent lot or parking garage. Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to attend and engage in discussions about the exciting developments shaping the Woodbridge community.
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Prince William County Government: “Prince William County is closer to constructing the one-mile segment of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail through the Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge in North Woodbridge, connecting the Rippon VRE station to Veteran Memorial Park.
“On Tuesday, the Board of County Supervisors authorized the transfer, budget and appropriation of $1.3 million from general-use proffer funding, $825,000 in Transient Occupancy Tax Fund [hotel taxes] (dedicated for transportation), and $500,000 from the COVID-19 American Rescue Plan Act. The new funding will supplement a Federal Land Access Program grant already awarded to the county for the project.”
“The Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, or PHNST, is an 800-mile-long National Park Service-designated trail corridor that will connect various trails and historic sites in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C. Approximately 20 miles of the PHNST is planned for Prince William County.”
The newest stretch of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail is open in Woodbridge.
Officials cut the ribbon on a new mile-and-a-half stretch of the trail, linking Veterans Memorial Park with the Occoquan Wildlife Refuge at Belmont Bay.
"This is something we've worked on for a long time, and it's great to have it finished," said Woodbridge District Supervisor Margaret Franklin.
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The Neabsco Creek Boardwalk, a three-quarter-mile boardwalk that allows visitors to see the wetlands and its native species in Woodbridge, has been placed among the top winners of the 2020 Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award. The award acknowledges 'successful and innovative efforts that improve Virginia’s environment,' according to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
More in a press release:
"There are approximately 17 miles of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail that run along the Potomac River in Prince William County from Occoquan at the northern end to Locust Shade Park at the southern end.
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Prince William County Woodbridge District Supervisor Margaret Franklin held a recent town hall meeting to discuss transportation, infrastructure, and parks projects in the district.
Here are notes from the call provided by the supervisor:
Route 1 Widening
Reconstruction of the Annapolis Way intersection was recently completed.The Gordon Blvd intersection was also completed. Traffic is switched to the new pavement between Horner Road and Route 1. The detour pavement will be destroyed, and the area restored.
Stage 3 of the Marumsco bridge work continues. The northbound deck has been completed and the bridge approaches will be completed by the end of June.The next milestone will be the traffic switch at the Marumsco Creek Bridge upon completion of the curing period. The existing northbound lanes will be shifted to the new northbound lanes at the bridge. The southbound lanes will also be shifted to the permanent southbound lanes. This will allow completion of the sidewalk at the southbound or west side of the bridge. The traffic switch should be accomplished by the end of July, weather permitting.
This shift will be followed by the completion of all roadwork between Mary’s Way and the Occoquan Bridge as well as the completion of lighting, landscaping, final surface paving, final striping and all other miscellaneous items.
The last milestone will be the substantial completion of the project by November, when all traffic between Annapolis Way and Mary’s Way will be moved to its final configuration.
The entire project is scheduled to be completed towards the end of November this year.
Opitz Boulevard Sidewalk
This project involves the design and construction of approximately 1,300 feet of sidewalk along the south side of Opitz Boulevard. The facility will connect to an existing sidewalk on Potomac Center Boulevard, and to an existing sidewalk on Opitz Boulevard at the Potomac Library. This project is expected to be completed between 2022-2023.Route 1- Featherstone to Mary’s Way
This project involves the widening of Route 1 from Mary’s Way to Featherstone Road from a four-lane undivided highway to a six-lane divided highway. The total distance of the project will be 1.3 miles and will include the construction of a 10- foot wide multi-modal trail and a 5- foot wide sidewalk along the sides of the route. Utility ductwork completed. Road construction should begin this fall.Annapolis Way
This project is a roadway improvement project to extend Annapolis Way to connect Route 1 to Route 123. The project also includes a design of extending the adjacent roadway of Marina Way and a Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) for North Woodbridge.Neabsco Mills Road Widening
This project widens Neabsco Mills Road and is currently under design. Right-of-way acquisition is currently underway and this project is expected to be completed by 2022.Neabsco/Woodbridge/Potomac Commuter Parking Garage
This project includes the construction of a 1,400-space garage within the vicinity of the Neabsco Mills Road Widening Project. The construction of the garage will serve as a park and ride facility for commuters, relieving capacity at the Route 1/Route 234 park and ride lot. Located on county-owned property behind Stonebridge/ Across street from Sentara.Recently Completed Projects
Rippon Landing Neighborhood Park Parking Lot
This project constructed a parking lot at Rippon Landing Neighborhood Park for visitors to the park, Neabsco Creek Boardwalk and Rippon Landing Historic Home.Express Lane Sidewalk
This project constructed a missing section of the sidewalk at the front of the Woodbridge VRE station to improve commuter safety. The project also replaced 3 ramps.
Horner Road Sidewalk
This project constructed a missing sidewalk section with 360 feet of new sidewalk along Horner Road ending at Kilby Elementary School.Southampton Street Sidewalk
This project will provide safety, commuter parking and pedestrian improvements and will increase the safety and capacity of the County’s transportation system.Blackburn Road Parking/Rippon Landing Neighborhood Park
Purpose: Construct a parking lot at Rippon Landing
Ribbon cutting was held on June 1, 2019.
Construction of the trail extension is complete.
Blackburn Road Pedestrian Improvements
Purpose: Construct a sidewalk/multi-use trail from Route 1 to the newly constructed Neabsco Boardwalk across from Rippon Lodge
Updates:Ribbon cutting was held on June 1, 2019
Woodbridge Magisterial District Parks & Recreation Projects
Belmont Park-Belmont Park Bridge replacement;
Hammill Mill Park- Paving; site Improvements (ADA) and retaining Wall replacement;
Rippon Lodge-Install flat Roof; front gate; ADA Trail; interior sidewalk;
Veterans Memorial Park-Tennis/Basketball court repaving;
Neabsco Regional Park – Julie Metz to Leesylvania State Park
Boardwalk connection; Rippon Landing boat launch; Wayfinding signage; Exercise Trail;
Several Parts of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic TrailRecently completed:
Veterans Park- Rectangular Lighting Installation; Maintenance Building; New Restroom Construction; Replace Outfield Fence; Pool Whitecoat, Scoreboard; Design for paving and ADA improvements;
Woodbridge Middle School- Artificial turf and Lighting;
Neabsco Regional Park- Boardwalk; Temporary Boardwalk at Julie Metz;
North Woodbridge Small Area PlanThe North Woodbridge Small Area Plan was adopted by the [Prince William Board of County Supervisors] on October 3, 2019 as an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan. As part of the long-range planning process, the North Woodbridge Small Area Plan sets forth a vision for the re-development of the area over the next 20 years.
The North Woodbridge Small Area Plan contains the necessary elements to change the area into a vibrant transit-oriented center that protects and celebrates the natural and cultural resources of the area. The plan also concentrates on leveraging the area’s assets for economic growth and providing a high quality of life.
WOODBRIDGE -- Prince William County officials today will sign off on a 50-year right of way plan to build new segments of the Potomac Heritage Scenic Trail.
The new trail sections will run through the Occoquan Bay and Featherstone national wildlife refuges in Woodbridge, adding to some 13 miles of the trial already constructed in the county.
When completed, up to 45 miles of the trail along the Potomac River between the Chesapeake Bay and Pennsylvania will traverse the county.
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UPDATED: An 8-mile stretch of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail in Woodbridge could cost as much as $5 million.
According to one preliminary estimate, one stretch of the trail, between Neabsco Creek and Metz Wetlands, which would connect Rippon Lodge with Leesylvania State Park, would cost $2 million, said Wooodbridge District Supervisor Frank J. Principi.
That cost is included in the original $5 million estimate.
“We are now in the middle of engaging engineers to better assess the ultimate costs of the projects. While some funding exists, additional funding will be needed from federal and state grants, proffers, land donations, and volunteer association sweat equity in helping to build the trail,” said Principi.
The cost estimates come from the original planning organizations, which include the Prince William County Park Authority, the Northern Virginia Regional Commission and U.S. Department of the Interior. Read More
