Rivanna Trails Foundation News/Blog

Volunteers keep the Rivanna Trail open!

Sat, 18 May 2013 18:21:25 GMT

The Poor House and nearby trail on UVa grounds received a sprucing up during Earth Week thanks to Carey Hill’s efforts to coordinate volunteers from the UVa Sustainability Outreach Committee and the Charlottesville Area Mountain Biking Community (CAMBC). Thanks, Carey!

Before and After shots

highlight the efforts of May’s Second Saturday Work Party volunteers. Under the leadership of Michael Barnes, volunteers mowed, lopped, pulled, sawed, dug, and removed trash from this lovely stretch of trail between the Christian Aid fields and the RT’s intersection with 5^th Street near Harris Street. Check out more pictures on our photo pages.

Future opportunities to volunteer:

June 1, City Parks & Rec. is celebrating National Trails Day by clearing trail in the Ragged Mountain Natural Area. Watch local media for details.

June 8, RTF Second Saturday work party.

Anytime – Carry clippers w/ you when you hike and clip back those aggressive vines and branches. RTF’s goal is to keep trail corridors open to approximately
6’ wide X 7’ high.

Route 29 Bypass’s impact on the Rivanna Trail

Sat, 18 May 2013 18:10:36 GMT

As the RTF board reported to membership earlier, the southern interchange of the proposed Route 29 Bypass, if built, will impact the Rivanna Trail between Barracks Road and Old Ivy Road, possibly displacing this segment of the trail permanently.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is holding a public information meeting to present three design alternatives of the southern interchange.

Thursday May 23, 2013

5 – 7:30 PM

Holiday Inn Charlottesville, 1901 Emmet Street

Written and Oral comments will be due by June 3, 2013

The RTF board has not seen these current design alternatives. We encourage all members and trail users to view them at the public meeting, ask to see them online if unable to attend the meeting, and provide feedback to VDOT as appropriate.

View VDOT’s official announcement of this meeting.

New Eagle Scout

Wed, 01 May 2013 02:54:31 GMT

Congratulations to Andrew Heatwole, who achieved the status of Eagle Scout on April 28. Andrew's service project was to design and build a new bridge for the Rivanna Trail, which was installed last fall on the Observatory Hill section. The Trail has been the beneficiary of a number of Eagle Scout projects over the years, and we congratulate Andrew on his achievement and thank him for his service to the RTF.

Improved Trail Below Locust Avenue

Sat, 09 Mar 2013 23:57:57 GMT

The March work party installed some new signposts at the Holmes Avenue trailheads, and moved a stretch of the trail between there and Locust Avenue onto higher ground. Part of this stretch has long been subject to flooding, so we shifted a bit of the trail out of standing water to what we hope is drier ground. The muck quotient is still high because of the melting snow, but the hope is that this part of the trail will now drain and dry out quicker. Please help establish the new path the next time you're in the area!

Thank you, warm footed volunteers!

Sat, 02 Mar 2013 03:45:14 GMT

In architecture, a lintel is a “horizontal structural element” used for various purposes. To the RTF, lintels are a convenient way to get hikers through shallow water. Unfortunately over time they crack and disintegrate. Luckily for us hikers, February work party leader Nick Hamblett and his merry band of volunteers were not deterred by cold water.

Nick reports, “Despite definitely cold temperatures, about a dozen hardy volunteers showed up for the February work party, on the second Saturday. Starting from the RTF shed off Morton Drive, we worked our way clockwise on the trail. Work split into two groups. The first was a truly adventurous group who worked to replace the broken lintels (cement beams) in the creek passing under 250. Their efforts in the cold water that morning are much appreciated, as the passing can now be made with much more confidence, as none of the blocks are missing chunks. The second group got to remain dry the whole time, and cleaned up the trail from the culvert under Hydraulic up to about the first clearing made by the recent stream restoration project. We hacked back some thorns, and re-defined the trail along the restoration project, closing up the temporary trails that were in place for the duration of this project. Ramps to small footbridges were improved, as were drainage channels in some of the muddy spots. Thanks to all of the volunteers, whose efforts continue to improve the trail, a gem of Charlottesville.”

Quarry Park Bridge Closed

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 00:01:18 GMT

The bridge connecting Quarry Park to the Rivanna Trail is closed while a replacement is installed. The original bridge was in declining health, and the RTF partnered with the City to purchase and relocate the pedestrian bridge that was used during the Jefferson Park Avenue bridge replacement. Access to this segment of the trail is available from the Route 20 and Avon Street ends. The new bridge should be open later this spring.

January 2013 Work Party

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 18:38:56 GMT

Approximately a dozen enthusiastic volunteers gathered at the RTF shed on January 12th under foggy and cooler than expected temperatures to attack two sections of the Rivanna trail that were experiencing some erosion along Moore's Creek. The first section that we tackled was the section from Azalea Park to 5th Street. After crossing the creek we sidecut into the back re-routes of the trail in about 4-5 sections as well as clearing debris from a downed tree that was blocking the trail. We finished that section around 11:00 and then made our way to Jordan Park to do the same on the section of the trail from Jordan Park to Avon Street. Thanks go out to all who vounteered to making this a very successful work Day.

Teddy Bear Hike 2013

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 03:48:39 GMT

On Jan. 5th several dozen enthusiastic coated, hatted, and gloved kids hit the Rivanna Trail with bunnies, bears, caterpillars, dinosaurs, salamanders, dolls, and monkeys for the 8^th annual Teddy Bear Hike. Thank you, Blue Ridge Mountain Sports, for hot chocolate! See more kids and animals in the RTF website photo album.

2012 Newsletter

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 23:28:55 GMT

After a two-year absence, the RTF newsletter is back! For our members and e-mail contacts for whom we have mailing addresses, look for a copy in your mailbox during the second week of December. For an advance look, click here for a pdf version. It's been a good year for the RTF and our network of trails, and with the support of our friends and volunteers the best is yet to come.

Loop de Ville 2012

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 01:55:26 GMT

The annual Loop de Ville has consistently enjoyed perfect fall weather, and this year was no exception. Leaving from Riverview Park at a dark and brisk 6:30 am, the group made its way through clearing skies and pleasant temperatures, returning exactly eight hours later. Thirteen people completed the entire circuit, including five who made the drive up from Richmond! Check out some photos here.

New Bridge on O-Hill

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 01:15:51 GMT

Boy Scouts and prospective Eagle Scouts are major contributors to the Rivanna Trail, and October saw the latest example. Andrew Heatwole (front) led a project that replaced a decaying and undersized bridge on Observatory Hill, one of the most-used segments of the Trail. As part of his Eagle Scout qualifications, Andrew designed the bridge, raised the funds to purchase materials, and organized a work party of friends and fellow Scouts. The new bridge went in on October 14. Thanks to Andrew for the improved bridge and for supporting the Rivanna Trail!

The Rivanna Trail and the Route 29 Charlottesville Bypass

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 19:41:34 GMT

Preliminary design of the “southern terminus” of the Route 29 Charlottesville Bypass with the Rivanna Trail inserted.

Bypass is light yellow. Rivanna Trail is green.

Dear Friends of the Rivanna Trail,

The RTF is grateful to generous landowners who have given permission to the public to walk on trails on their land, and we include in this list the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). In our capacity as stewards of the land our trails traverse, the RTF has historically not made public statements about land use issues, but we wish to inform our members of the impact VDOT’s proposed Route 29 Charlottesville Bypass will have on the Rivanna Trail.

Specifically the “southern terminus” of the proposed Bypass will lie near, along, or on the path of the Rivanna Trail behind UVa’s JAG, Law, and Business schools, from near Barracks Road to Ivy Road. As currently designed, the southern terminus has the potential to close off access to trail users permanently.

We invite you to read the following information:

VDOT’s website about the Bypass -

http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/culpeper/rt._29_bypass.asp

On the above website, scroll down to

Southern Terminus Concept Drawing, Sept. 26, 2011 (6 MB) to see the preliminary design of the “southern terminus” in the vicinity affecting the Rivanna Trail.

On the above website, scroll down to “Skanska-Branch/JMT Technical Proposal, June 20, 2012” to see other preliminary designs of the Bypass.

Proposal Submittal - Volume 1 and 2 (28 MB)

On the above VDOT website, find the environmental assessment under

New Environmental assessment Aug. 23, 2012 (4 MB).

What you can do:

Attend VDOT’s public information meeting about designs for the Bypass. Thursday, September 27th from 6 - 9 p.m. at Jack Jouett Middle School.

Encourage VDOT to include the Rivanna Trail in their designs of the Bypass, to accommodate hikers and bikers in the region of the Bypass, and to protect trails.

Information about alternatives to the Bypass:

The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) has created a plan entitled “LetsGo 29” that brings together ideas that could be implemented in the Route 29 corridor, projects that done together would cost less money than VDOT’s Bypass and that would not impact the Rivanna Trail.

SELC’s information:

http://www.southernenvironment.org/cases/charlottesville_bypass/

SELC’s LetsGo 29 video:

http://www.southernenvironment.org/lets_go_29

A bit of historical background:

SELC’s “LetsGo 29” plan references “Places 29 Master Plan.” This latter document encompasses the Route 29 corridor and includes multiple spot transportation improvements. The Places 29 Master Plan, created with public participation, was adopted by both the Albemarle County planning commission and the Board of Supervisors.

Information and documents:

http://www.albemarle.org/department.asp?department=cdd&relpage=3735

Trail Profiled in Richmond Times-Dispatch

Sat, 18 Aug 2012 02:20:34 GMT

The Trail's popularity continues to spread. The August 5 edition of the Richmond Times-Dispatch carried a great profile of riding our "urban oasis": http://timesdispatch.com/ar/2109212/.

Village School Students Build Bridge

Sat, 04 Aug 2012 23:26:49 GMT

Students from the Village School have built a number of bridges on the Rivanna Trail over the years, and the ribbon-cutting for their newest was on Friday, August 3. The bridge, complete with appropriately-Jeffersonian railings, is located behind the UVa Law School on the trail segment between Barracks Road and Sandridge Road. The Daily Progress has a great story on the girls and their efforts. Thank you to all the students for their incredible work!

Avon Street to Rt 20 cleared

Sat, 14 Jul 2012 20:41:40 GMT

July's work party tackled the trail segment between Avon Street and Route 20, including the spur into Quarry Park. The Avon Street end in particular is one of the toughest sections in which to keep vegetation at bay, especially in the fast-growing Virginia summer. Thanks to the hard work of our hardy volunteer crew, it's now fully clipped, weed-whacked, chain-sawed, and raked. Now is the perfect time to get out and explore one of the prettiest sections of the trail.

Rivanna Trail and RTF Featured in C-VILLE Weekly Article

Wed, 23 May 2012 23:30:39 GMT

Local freelance author and trail enthusiast Jayson Whitehead has a terrific article in the current issue of the C-VILLE Weekly that features our beloved Rivanna Trail. Check out the article at this link.

From beer bottles to an arboretum

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 00:41:13 GMT

Several years ago the Charlottesville Area Tree Stewards (CATS) adopted the Barracks Road trailhead, an area that had for years been an attractant for beer bottles and fast food paper wastes. Thanks to their clear vision, careful planning, and dedicated work, the wonderful CATS folks have transformed this area into an amazing small arboretum of native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. With a stream nearby and an additional rustic path, the small area is truly a gift to the community. The RTF thanks UVa for allowing the public to hike on this land and the CATS folks for their efforts.

If you would like to adopt your favorite area along the trail, no matter how small -- even a single pesty multiflora rose bush as our dear friend Rosemary Ballister did for years -- just drop us an email note at rivannatrails@gmail.com and we'll advise.

RTF supports Boys & Girls Club trail building event

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:53:00 GMT

On April 21, 2012, the RTF lent tools and management expertise that empowered 23 young people from the Boys & Girls Club to build a brand new hiking trail in the Southwood community. An equal number of adult volunteers from Comcast and UVa mentored the young people, and together they cleared and side-cut a new trail, dug long-buried trash out of the forest, discovered new wildlife, and learned about teamwork. The new trail adds to a network of trails the young people had already built for their community and will eventually connect to Biscuit Run State Park. Look for our RTF tools in this NBC29 news coverage.

Meadow Creek trail segment near Melbourne Road reopened

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 20:44:44 GMT

The RTF sends out a big "Thank You" to the thirty volunteers who showed up today to reopen the gorgeous streamside trail located near the Meadowcreek-John Warner Parkway bike-ped trail. Loyal RTF members, young people from CHS and UVa, and really young folks out for their first taste of trail stewardship worked together to accomplish a big job. It never fails to amaze workers how "many hands can accomplish great things." The RTF encourages community members to visit or revisit what is one of the oldest and prettiest trail segments. Access is from the bike-ped trail; look for our new green trailhead signs.

Trail Adopters Build Bridges in Belvedere

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 18:49:08 GMT

Leigh and Jim Surdukowski, who have adopted the Belvedere section of the River North trails, recently completed two bridges and a short re-route to avoid a couple hazardous stream crossings. RTF purchased the necessary materials, while Leigh and Jim donated their time and labor.

Trail adopters like the Surdukowskis are the eyes and ears of the Rivanna Trail, and invaluable in keeping the Trails open. Everyone who enjoys the trails can play a part, and RTF invites other trail users to let us know where bridges or other improvements might be needed - and if you'd like to volunteer your time and labor, contact the RTF to see if we may be able to help or provide acknowledgement for donated materials.