April with the Trails Crew
These are strange times…things have changed so quickly, and we’re all trying to adapt to circumstances without knowing how long they will continue. I’ve been walking on the trails, mostly out toward Lickinghole Basin, and it’s just weird to have to notice when people are approaching so I can find a wide place to move over and let them pass with six feet of clearance.
The Crozet Greenway is used by walkers, runners, bicyclists and dog-walkers–many more of us than there were a month ago. Please remember trail courtesy: runners yield to walkers, bicyclists yield to both, and dogs (even friendly ones) need to be on a leash.
Several local parks and recreation areas have been closed because people have not been able to keep safely spread out. With 10 miles of trails in Crozet, and many trail entrances, we have plenty of room to keep “social distance”. Please continue to allow plenty of room and don’t run or walk in groups, so we can continue to use our trails as the spring weather beckons us outdoors.
Trail Maintenance – We Really Need Your Help This Year
The trails are in great shape now, but you know that with a couple days of rain and another week of warm weather, the grass will be springing up and the brambles will be trying to take over. Although folks from Albemarle County Parks & Rec do the big mowing of the Connector Trail, there is a lot of maintenance that volunteers take on to keep the trails in great shape. Up til now, we’ve called work days and mowed and trimmed in a sociable group. But not this spring.
We’re asking for help from anyone who can. If you have pruners or loppers, and can take an hour to clear back vines from section of trail, please do! If you are able to mow a section or weed-whack a trail entrance, we need it done. If you want to perform a task, and need to borrow equipment for it, send an email to me at terrim@crozettrailscrew.org and we’ll make arrangements. (Our equipment is stored at Crozet Park so you’d need to be able to move it from there and back.) If you notice a place that needs work, and can’t get to it yourself, send me a message. We’re all in this together!
Thank You to “Eyes On the Trail” Volunteers
Eight people have volunteered to keep a regular check on our trails. It looks like we’ve got folks claiming responsibility in Old Trail, the entire Crozet Connector trail, and even the Henley Hornets trail out in Beaver Creek park.
Even if you’re not signed up as a regular volunteer, please drop me a message either on email (terrim@CrozetTrailsCrew.org) or via our web page or facebook page if you see anything amiss.
Another big “thank you” to the family that painted over the graffiti in the pedestrian tunnel beneath Eastern Avenue, creating chalkboards for our comments. It’s great to see people pitching in to help keep Crozet the great place we love.
Monthly Meeting via Videoconference
Everyone is invited to join our monthly meeting:
Thursday, April 23, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
We will be conducting the meeting via Zoom, which is accessible to most internet-connected devices, and also via telephone (audio-only). We will be discussing the state of the trails and plans for the next several weeks.
If you would like to attend, please request an invitation from terrim@CrozetTrailsCrew.org)
March with the Trails Crew
In the last two weeks we have been reconnoitering some of the trails around Crozet we want to work on this spring. We explored the trail from The Meadows to Old Trail Drive and cleared some fallen trees, we’ve looked at where the new Western Park will connect with the Rowcross Trail, and we’ve removed fallen trees and done some pruning on the Creekside Trail. March has two big projects: construction of a stage and benches at Mint Springs Park, and expansion of the graveled surface of the Connector Trail between Eastern Avenue and Crozet Park.
Saturday, March 14: Construction of stage and benches at Mint Springs Park. We had a great turnout in clearing the area in February, now we are going to start putting it together. Details here.
Thursday, March 19: TO BE HELD VIA VIDEO CONFERENCE. Email terrim@crozettrailscrew.org for invitation to join. Monthly meeting 6:30-8:00 p.m. Join us to offer your ideas for Crozet trails, or just to get to know a great group of people. Details here.
CANCELLED! Saturday, March 21: Get to know the trails – guided trail walk from Crozet Park to Lickinghole Basin and back. Approximately 4 miles. Details here.
In addition to people who want to discover the trail, it would be helpful to have 2 or 3 folks who are familiar with the route to assist in guiding. Email Terri at terrimiyamoto@gmail.com if you can help!
CANCELLED! Monday, March 30: WAHS volunteers to work on spreading gravel on the Connector Trail, starting at Eastern Avenue and working toward Crozet Park. We could use a few adult volunteers to help transfer equipment and guide the students that morning. Details here.
February with the Trails Crew
At our January meeting, we elected officers (thank you to all who serve!) and discussed our goals for 2020.
Winter is a great time for clearing new areas, since much of the underbrush has died back and it’s easier to access overgrown areas. So come on out to help with a fun project at Mint Springs Park this month!
Saturday, February 8: Clear an area at Mint Springs Park in preparation for the construction of a small stage and seating area. The county received a grant from Paul McCartney for materials to build this facility, and has asked us to provide the labor to make it happen. Details here.
Thursday, February 27: Monthly meeting 6:30-8:00 p.m. Join us to offer your ideas for Crozet trails, or just to get to know a great group of people. Details here.
Saturday, February 29: Construction of the stage and benches at Mint Springs begins! We need people with skills with simple construction, but even if you can’t handle a drill, we can use you to help measure, carry, and hold materials. We will gladly help train anyone who wants to learn more about using our tools for simple construction, so feel free to join us. Details here. POSTPONED TO A FUTURE DATE
We seldom cancel a work day because of weather, but if it’s questionable, we will post a status on our Facebook page an hour before scheduled start.
Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
2020 Goals
Expand Trail Inventory
- Western Park
- Begin flagging trails in Western Park, in accordance with park planning documents. Construct trails and boardwalks where possible, focusing on connections to existing trails
- Old Trail
- Complete Rowcross Trail to Western Park and connect to trail behind the Lodge
- Update trail network behind Henley school, possibly connecting to The Meadows
- Update trail map with all trails in Old Trail
- Lickinghole Creek: Westhall to Chesterfield
Landing
- Construct neighborhood trail in Chesterfield Landing and add to maps
- Work on complete route with ACPR to acquire easements to connect to Crozet Connector Trail
- Crozet Park to Crozet Square via new plaza
- Encourage progress in acquiring easements needed from the park and construct trails when possible
- Southern Connection
- Continue to monitor status of Eastern Avenue extension to Route 250. If it continues to be delayed, encourage county to construct pedestrian bridge over Lickinghole Creek.
Maintain Trail Inventory
- Conduct regular mowing and pruning as needed throughout the growing season
- Coordinate with Tucker (ACPR) for mowing of Connector Trail
- Correct grading at Eastern Avenue tunnel and add gravel surface from tunnel to park (on the west) and into tree line (on the east)
- Complete installation of signs at all trailheads and intersections
- Improve water-logged section of Rowcross trail (at trailhead sign)
- Replenish and improve gravel surface on trail below Westlake and correct drainage
Community Activities
- Quarterly walks, presentations, etc.
- Provide input and feedback on Crozet Master Plan
- Attendance at meetings
- Presentation to planning commission and/or Board of Supervisors
- Usual activities: Arts & Crafts Fair, Independence Day, Banff Film Festival, etc.
- Renovate and re-invigorate annual 5K run
- Cooperate with potential trail projects in the area: Blue Ridge Tunnel and Three Notch’d Trail
- Follow up on possible trail race in coordination with Starr Hill
January with the Trails Crew
Saturday, January 18: Cancelled. Work day in Western Ridge to clear brush and fix signage along the trail out to Lickinghole Basin. Winter is a great time for trail work, since weeds and grass have died back and it’s easier to see what you’re doing. Details here.
Thursday, January 30: Monthly Meeting / Election of Officers
Monthly Meeting at Love2Eat Thai Restaurant, 6:30. Come if you want to know more, help us plan future work, or just get to know a fun group of people. Details here.
Looking forward to February: We have a construction project on tap for a small amphitheater in Mint Springs, which we hope to finish in February, so be sure to sign up for our email to get the details.
We seldom cancel a work day because of weather, but if it’s questionable, we will post a status on our Facebook page an hour before scheduled start.
Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.