One of the things I love about living in the Occoquan District is how close we are to some truly beautiful natural spaces. Whether it’s an afternoon at Lake Ridge Park, a walk through the woods, or simply finding a little time to get outside with the family, our parks and trails contribute a lot to our quality of life. And while we often talk about infrastructure in terms of roads, intersections, and traffic congestion, our trails are important infrastructure, too. They connect neighborhoods, create opportunities for recreation and exercise, and give people more ways to experience their community without getting in a car.
Last month, the Board of County Supervisors adopted Pathways 2035, our new countywide Trails Master Plan, which will help guide future investments and close gaps in our trail network. But adopting a plan is only part of the work. Building those connections takes engineering, funding, property agreements, environmental reviews, and sometimes a fair amount of patience.
Last Friday, our Parks & Recreation Department provided another update on three projects here in the Occoquan District:
Occoquan Greenway, Segment 6
Work continues on this important Greenway connection. Staff is also negotiating with an adjacent property owner on Colby Drive to secure the access needed for the trail to cross the property.
Lake Ridge Cotton Mill Trail
The trail construction is complete! Remaining work includes tree planting, and Parks staff continues pursuing grant funding to landscape the slopes alongside the trail.
Occoquan Greenway, Segment 8
This segment includes retaining wall and sidewalk improvements being coordinated with a County road project in the Town of Occoquan. It’s on a longer timeline, with construction bidding and contract award currently scheduled for 2028.
Not every update comes with a ribbon cutting or a major new milestone. But I believe residents deserve to know where projects stand, including the challenges and timelines involved. And while we continue working on these connections, there’s plenty to enjoy right now.
Prince William County Parks and Recreation recently highlighted five local hiking destinations worth exploring this fall. You can find that here.
Building a more connected community happens piece by piece. Sometimes that means improving an intersection or expanding transit service. Other times, it means making it easier for someone to walk from their neighborhood into the woods.