Fairfax County to Recognize Rep. Gerry Connolly’s Leadership in Creating 40-mile Cross County Trail at Renaming Ceremony on Saturday in Lorton

The Fairfax County Park Authority will hold a ceremony Saturday in Lorton to rename the 40-mile Cross County Trail the “Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail," in recognition of Congressman Connolly’s strong support for open space and parkland during his tenure on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

Fittingly, the renaming ceremony for the Cross County Trail (CCT) will take place on National Trails Day, Saturday, June 7, at 10 am at Laurel Hill Park, Giles Run Meadow, 8400 Lorton Road, in Lorton, VA.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors took action last year to rename the trail after Connolly.  The Board cited Connolly’s “countless contributions to parks during his tenure as the former Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and as a longtime steward of the environment.”

The Supervisors also noted Connolly’s work with the Fairfax County Parks Authority and other citizen groups to establish the trail, pointing out, “He is informally considered to be the ‘father” of the CCT and this trail naming is a well-deserved tribute to Mr. Connolly.”

In June 1999, then-Providence District Supervisor Connolly joined Fairfax trail advocates on a Trails Day hike along a portion of the trail and immediately agreed to push for the creation of a trail that would run from Great Falls on the Potomac River to Fairfax County's southern border with Prince William at the Occoquan River.  That same month, Connolly offered a motion to create a cross county trail.  The motion won unanimous approval from the Board of Supervisors.

Over the next several years, Fairfax Board Chairman Connolly worked with the Park Authority and citizens trail advocates to create the trail which follows the existing stream valley trail system belonging, for the most part, to the Park Authority.  The trail links existing trails together with other public lands owned by the National Park Service, the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, the City of Fairfax, Reston, and public sidewalks through eachmagisterial district in Fairfax County to form a continuous pedestrian route from Great Falls to Prince William County.

“I am truly humbled by this honor,” Connolly said. “The Cross County Trail is one of my proudest accomplishments in public office. There are a lot of people who share this honor with me, including the Park Authority staff and the groups and citizens dedicated to making the trail a reality. This project is a sterling example of what can happen when the local community, volunteers and our elected officials work together. Thanks to that effort, we are leaving behind a real gem for future generations to enjoy.”

Building on the success of the Cross County Trail, Congressman Connolly introduced the Complete America’s Great Trails Act in the House of Representatives. This legislation establishes tax incentives for landowners to grant public access and conservation easements in National Scenic Trail corridors. “Ten of our 11 National Scenic Trails are incomplete, including sections of the Appalachian Trail,” Connolly said.

“Our collaborative effort and success with Fairfax's Cross County trail is a great model to use at the federal level.  This legislation is a critical step towards completing our trails and protecting our nation’s beautiful lands.”

In approving the motion to rename the trail after Connolly, the Board of Supervisors said in its report, “Gerry Connolly strongly supported acquisition of open space and the development of trails to provide recreational and leisure opportunities to the residents of the county during his tenure on the Board of Supervisors. He was the champion who issued the clarion call to acquire and set aside ten percent of all land in Fairfax County as Park Authority-protected parkland. This goal remains an ongoing effort, edging ever nearer with each acquisition.  Nearly 24,000 acres have been acquired. During his tenure as Chairman, more than 1,500 acres were acquired. He also is a strong advocate for environmental stewardship and continuously champions the value of parkland and park amenities in the community.”

In 2009, the Park Authority presented Connolly with the prestigious Sally Ormsby Environmental Stewardship Award for his local, regional, and national accomplishments to protect the environment and preserve open space.

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FAIRFAX COUNTY BOARD ACTION

Board Agenda

June 12, 2013

ACTION

Renaming of the Cross County Trail

ISSUE:

Seeking approval of the renaming of the Cross County Trail to the “Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail” in honor of his countless contributions to parks during his 14-year tenure as Providence District Supervisor and then as Chairman of Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and as a longtime steward of the environment.

RECOMMENDATION:

The Park Authority Deputy Director/COO recommends approval of the renaming of the Cross County Trail to the “Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail” in honor of Gerry Connolly, and placement of interpretative signs recognizing his significant contributions as Providence District Supervisor and then as Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

TIMING:

Board action is requested on June 12, 2013.

BACKGROUND:

The Cross County Trail (CCT) is more than 40 miles in length, running from the Potomac River in Great Falls Park to the Occoquan River in Occoquan Regional Park.

The idea for a Cross County Trail was presented to the Park Authority by Fairfax Trails and Streams. The proposed route followed the existing stream valley trail system belonging, for the most part, to the Park Authority and linked existing trails together with other public lands owned by the National Park Service, the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, the City of Fairfax, Reston, and public sidewalks through eachmagisterial district in Fairfax County to form a continuous pedestrian route from Great Falls to Prince William County.

In August 1999, the Park Authority formed a task force with other county agencies, land managers, and trail advocacy groups. In the course of the next several years, the Park Authority assembled existing trail sections and rights-of-way to connect longer trail lengths while refining alternatives for missing sections. During that time, several trail stakeholders and advocacy groups successfully worked with the Park Authority Board and the Board of Supervisors to enhance the trail. Chairman Connolly was extremely supportive of Park Authority efforts to acquire the necessary links to complete the entire route. One of the last significant sections of trail to be acquired was the Laurel Hill Greenway, a portion of the former Lorton Prison, located on the rail bed used to transport goods within the prison property. The Lorton property was acquired by the county from the federal government in 2002 under Mr. Connolly’s leadership as Board Chairman. He supported amendment of the county Comprehensive Plan was adopted to protect the majority of Lorton as parkland, an action which allowed the CCT to incorporate the Greenway at its southern terminus.

With the Laurel Hill Greenway addition, continuous public right-of-way was established, and the trail was officially “completed” in December 2005. A spectacular day-long ribbon cutting ceremony, “Trailfest,” was held on National Trails Day in June 2006 to celebrate the creation of the CCT.

Gerry Connolly strongly supported acquisition of open space and the development of trails to provide recreational and leisure opportunities to the residents of the county during his tenure on the Board of Supervisors. He was the champion who issued the clarion call to acquire and set aside ten percent of all land in Fairfax County as Park Authority-protected parkland. This goal remains an ongoing effort, edging ever nearer with each acquisition.  Nearly 24,000 acres have been acquired. During his tenure as Chairman, more than 1,500 acres were acquired. He also is a strong advocate for environmental stewardship and continuously champions the value of parkland and park amenities in the community.

In 2009, the Fairfax County Park Authority Board presented Congressman Gerry Connolly with the prestigious Sally Ormsby Environmental Stewardship Award. This award recognized Mr. Connolly for a multitude of accomplishments that protect our precious natural resources, allow residents of Fairfax County to enjoy open space and local trails, as well evidenced through his endorsement of sound environmental policy, adoption of the Cool County’s program, commitment to green building practices and establishment of a robust environmental agenda. Residents of Fairfax County continue to reap the benefits of his labor and commitment as a champion of parks, trails, and environmental stewardship.

In honor of his leadership and support, which made the Cross County Trail a reality, it is recommended that the Cross County Trail be renamed in his honor as the “Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail.” He already is informally considered by many to be the “father” of the CCT, and this trail naming is a well-deserved tribute to Mr. Connolly for his dedication and support of the Fairfax County Park Authority. Both Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova and Park Authority Board Chairman Bill Bouie support this request. In accordance with existing Policy 106-Naming of Parks, this naming is a well-deserved tribute to Congressman Connolly for his ongoing support of the Park Authority and the development of the CCT.