The Trails and Blueways Council (TBC) is a 16-person committee appointed by the Prince William Board of County Supervisors to provide recommendations related to bike/pedestrian planning, programs, and infrastructure.
TBC meets monthly from 6:30-9:00pm in the Hellwig Administration Building of the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR). Normally the TBC meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month. The February 2026 meeting was rescheduled to March 3 to accommodate the annual DPR State of the Parks address.
Staff from DPR (see March 3 slides), the Planning Office, and Transportation Department participate in each TBC meeting.
On March 3, the TBC endorsed the primary route developed by National Park Service, Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC), and DPR staff for the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (PHNST). Additional braids to connect to points of interest are also possible.
On April 8, DPR will brief the Planning Commission on the 10-year Trails Master Plan. Cost estimates for new trail construction range (depending upon trail type) from $425,000/mile ($80/linear foot) to $6,000,000/mile; recent experiences from other government agencies were used to calculate costs. Plan will identify highest-priority Tier 1 projects with ten projects for each magisterial district to be funded in next 10 years (time horizon for Master Plans). March 24 TBC meeting will review draft plan in more detail.
Other items of interest include:
– Featherstone segment of PHNST will get benches and kiosks; further construction delay is possible to avoid disturbing eagle nest; DPR has coordinated plans with Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, which owns east side of railroad corridor and is planning to add a third track there.
– DPR will post an Invitation for Bid (IFB) soon for trail construction services.
– Proposed Sustainability and Resilience Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPA) offers an opportunity to highlight the benefits of bike/pedestrian trips that generate fewer/no greenhouse gas emissions.
– At March 11 Planning Commission meeting, Transportation Department will comment on three Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPA) proposals. Staff supports retaining Sudley Road and Heathcote Road segments with associated Shared Use Paths in Mobility Chapter. The shared use path on Sudley Road could be retained in the Mobility Chapter even if road widening is eliminated.
– Two parcels have been acquired from Dale Land LLC which will permit construction of Neabsco Greenway from Lindendale Road to Delaney Road.
– $5 million is in draft FY27 budget now for upgrading facilities in existing parks, including making trails more accessible and making trail loops at parks. Two additional trails maintenance positions added; budget does not include the additional planner needed to manage land acquisitions or get projects approved and shovel-ready.
– Bike to Work Day on May 15 will include another adult “learn to bike” event; planning in underway for Bike Rodeo in June 28 at Bull Run Library and another bike-related event at Public Safety Expo in October
– next TBC meeting will include status report on Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) plans for repairing I-95 bridge over Neabsco Creek; initial proposal would have blocked Neabsco Greenway there.
– Community hike on March 21 will launch public engagement phase for Davis Ford Park Master Plan
– DPR is making comments on fourth submission of Destination Place rezoning, route for Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail along waterfront is now included but still no connection to Annapolis Way and parking lot that could be used as trailhead. Development includes private kayak launch on Occoquan River
– Village at Broad Run and Silver Bell developments include trail routes on south side of Broad Run to extend existing trail westward; existing dam on Broad Run limits opportunity for creating a blueway
– Mapledale Plaza rezoning creates an opportunity for prioritizing completion of planned trail south of where Ridgefield Road meets Dale Boulevard.
– Trails at Valley View park have been restored for hiker/equestrian use.
– Update to trail standards will include designs for canoe/kayak/paddleboard launches similar to ones now at Lake Ridge Marina and Town of Occoquan. Sinclair Mill launch will be accessible. Objective is for people on wheelchairs to be able to get into boats brought to launch site by someone else.
