By URIAH KISER
WOODBRIDGE, Va. — Woodbridge now has a boardwalk, but it doesn’t have fancy shops, restaurants or an ocean view.
On June 2, 44 volunteers with the Prince William Trails and Streams Coalition laid some $2,500 in materials along a one-mile portion of the Potomac Heritage Scenic Trail, creating a flat boardwalk that connects the Metz Wetlands area and Leesylvania State Park in Woodbridge.
As much of the area is muddy, the boardwalk now allows hikers to park at the Metz Wetlands and walk full circle through Leesylvania, down Powell’s Creek, to a sidewalk on U.S. 1 north where they can return to a parking lot at Metz.
MORE TO THE STORY: View a map of the trail and see where the new boardwalk was laid
“There have been three major trail building workdays (as well as several minor ones) on the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail right in this area over the last year: PWTSC completed the connection between the existing trails in Metz Wetland and Leesylvania State Park on National Trails Day in 2011, and the connection between the existing trails in Leesylvania State Park and the Powell’s Landing community in September of last year,” said PWTSC President Zoe Vitter.
The organization partnered with the Prince William County Park Authority, REI, and the Potomac Heritage Trail Association to get the job done. The boardwalk accounts for only a small portion of the trail, as much of the trail is natural surface, and that means maintenance cost for the boardwalk will be minimal, said Vitter.
In addition to holding monthly clean ups in various portions of Prince William County, PWTSC will once again hold a volunteer workday on the Potomac Heritage Scenic Trail in November.
The Potomac Heritage Scenic Trail is part of the National Park Service and links Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania, allowing hikers to explore the same areas George Washington did in his lifetime.
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On January 7, the U.S. House of Representatives convened for the first session of the 119th Congress and passed H.R. 29, the “Riley Laken Act,” with bipartisan support.
Prince William County government offices and facilities will be open on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Still, employees can take unscheduled leave or engage in unscheduled telework due to current weather conditions.
While the county remains open for business, residents are encouraged to check for the latest updates on facility-specific operations by visiting pwcva.gov/emergency.
Some county services may be impacted by the weather. Before visiting a county facility, call ahead or check the county’s website.
Several schools in our region have announced closures and delays for Wednesday, January 8, 2025, due to inclement weather and hazardous road conditions.
Fredericksburg Regional Transit (FXBGO!) announced that transit service, which was suspended on Tuesday due to winter weather, is expected to resume at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 8. Residents relying on public transportation are encouraged to plan accordingly and check for updates before traveling.
In addition to transit disruptions, the city’s trash collection schedule has been adjusted. Monday’s missed routes resumed today, and services will shift forward by one day for the remainder of the week. Tuesday’s trash will be collected on Wednesday, Wednesday’s on Thursday, and so on.
The City of Fredericksburg’s Public Works Department continues its efforts to clear snow and ice from roadways. Primary collector roads are reported to be in good condition, but some residential and collector roads remain compacted with snow and ice. Crews are applying plowing and chemical treatments as necessary to address these areas. As temperatures drop overnight, roads may refreeze, and drivers are urged to exercise caution when traveling.
The City also reminds property owners and occupants of their obligation to clear sidewalks adjacent to their properties. Snow and ice must be removed within 12 hours after snowfall ends, or by noon the following day if precipitation occurs overnight or on a Sunday. Sand or abrasives may be used if removal isn’t feasible. Residents and businesses are also responsible for clearing ADA access ramps to ensure safe pedestrian passage.
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Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra, this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
Featuring:
