Category Archives: History

Summary of coalition activities, year by year.

2012 Broad Run Trail Jingle Bell 5 Miler Results

The sound of bells filled the air on Saturday morning as 149 runners took off on the 5-mile race with sets of bells laced to their shoes. The runners followed a course on both sides of Broad Run, completing a loop from the start/finish line at Victory Elementary School. Participants took advantage of a significant trail improvement this year, making use of one of the new fiberglass bridges installed at a stream crossing near Victory Lakes. The race was also an opportunity for runners to become familiar with trail sections they may not have experienced previously.

Race results are posted here.  A photo archive is linked here.  Congratulations to overall winner Matthew Thatcher with a time of 29:11, and honorable mention to Aiden Estrada (age 7) our youngest runner, and Jim Hollis our oldest runner (age 68).

The Broad Run Linear Trail is one of several trail projects being worked on by volunteers from Prince William Trails and Streams Coalition (PWTSC) with support from the Prince William County Parks Department. Currently the trail runs from the vicinity of Victory Lakes Elementary along the Broad Run up to the Kingsbrooke sub-division. The trail will eventually run from behind the Target on Route 28 to Glenkirk Road near Lake Manassas which is approximately 7.5 miles.

New Bridges on the Broad Run Trail

In conjunction with Public Lands Day, a bridge dedication was held on Saturday, September 29 on the Broad Run Trail.  Over the summer, the PWC Parks & Recreation Dept managed the installation of two 50-foot fiberglass bridges at stream crossings on the trail (the location is shown here).   One new bridge links the trails in the Victory Lakes communities to the trail segment that  proceeds upstream on the property of the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia.  The other bridge links the Victory Lakes communities to the trail segment that leads downstream towards Rt 28.  Both are part of a larger network of trails in the Broad Run Trail Corridor. In his remarks to the group assembled for the dedication, Supervisor Covington noted that these trails in Bristow receive as much or more use than any similar facility in the County.

PWTSC volunteers also completed a project on Saturday morning, improving a trail section that was narrow and rough, where bicyclists had to dismount.  The results can be seen in this picture.

History 2009

By the end of 2009 PWTSC had built more than seven additional miles of multi-use trails on Park Authority property and easements, and helped to establish over two miles of public accessible trails through key partnerships with other landowners. At the same time, we more than tripled in number and established additional partnerships with organizations such as George Mason University that will help us to establish a County-wide system of trails that connect parks with our communities.

In 2009 PWTSC continued to work toward the long-pursued goal of adding public canoe/kayak launch sites upstream on the Occoquan River. In November of 2009, PWTSC organized 31 volunteers to clean-up debris and reinforce the trail leading to a possible future launch site at the waterline. If completed, this new canoe/kayak launch area would provide for a 9 mile paddling trip to the Bull Run Marina, as well as a 14 mile paddling experience to either the Lake Ridge Marina or Fountainhead Marina.

PWTSC exceeded our goal to hold one workday a month in 2009. With the help of over one hundred volunteers, we completed trail work and / or held clean-ups on George Mason University-s Manassas campus, on private land dedicated to Annie Snyder and Carrie Jones, easements along Broad Run, and County parks including Andrew Leitch Park, Locust Shade Park, Valley View Park, James S. Long Regional Park, Broad Run Linear Park and Trail System and the newly dedicated Silver Lake Regional Park. PWTSC additionally participated in the education of citizens through participation in Earth Day, National Trails Day, and other area events.

2009 marked the inaugural year for fundraising within PWTSC. Sponsoring the third annual Duck Splash at Occoquan, members of PWTSC braved the rain on the river in boats, kayaks, and wave runners to raise funds for trails. Not a rubber duck escaped the dedicated crew collecting them as they crossed the finish line.

The Prince William Trails and Blueways Council was appointed by the Board of County Supervisors and Park Authority and began meeting this year. Going forward, the Prince William Trails Council will advise the bodies on priorities and funding for its trail projects. The Council will also heighten the awareness for the need of these trail systems throughout the county.

2010 brings in a new year with a new President. Rick Holt, an avid biker from the Brentsville District, looks forward to continuing to grow PWTSC and benefit the public as a whole in Prince William County.

PWTSC Board of Directors meets on the first Monday of each month to discuss organizational business and plan out workdays and other activities. We look forward to continuing to grow in membership and volunteers and the development and promotion of passive recreational opportunities in Prince William County. Please feel free to join us at any and all of our events to promote trails and stream recreation in Prince William County.