[Bcna-announce] Trail Closing due to Meadow Creek Parkway Construction

[Jesse Fiske]

Dear Neighborhood,

    This afternoon, representatives from the Rivanna Trails Foundation (Rick
Seaman, Jeff Wilbur, and I) met with VDOT officials and the City and the
County Trails Coordinators to discuss whether any part of the Melbourne loop
of trails could stay open during the construction of the Meadowcreek
Parkway.  The construction is starting in earnest with tree clearing *this
Monday (Feb. 23rd)*.  After looking at and discussing the construction
diagrams and plans (and walking the trails), it was unanimously agreed
that* all
trails between Melbourne Road and the Railroad culvert (bounded on the sides
by Meadow Creek and the Railroad tracks) will be closed for the foreseeable
future due to the construction.*

    Regardless of one's feelings about the Parkway, it will be sad to see
such tree clearing and ugly construction going on in this lovely quiet
section of woods, but we can ultimately look forward to a very
nice 10-foot-wide multi-use path running the length of (but separated from)
the Parkway.  The path and the Parkway will be easily accessible from our
neighborhood at Melbourne, and we remain hopeful that we are going to be
able to construct a sidewalk under the Railroad culvert at the end of
Greenbrier Park, which would also provide an excellent pedestrian/bike
connection point to the multi-use path.  In addition, once construction is
complete, the RTF and the City will continue to have and maintain rustic
foot trails in the Melbourne loop area along the creek and in the remaining
woods.

    So, please respect and abide by the trail closures.  Signs have been
posted as a reminder.  I note, however, that the Greenbrier Park/RTF trails
will remain open, all the way to (and beyond) Hydraulic Road, at least until
construction begins in the coming months on the Stream Restoration project
and the RSWA sewer line replacement.  I also remind people that there are
now a wonderful set of trails behind CHS that can be accessed from Melbourne
Road, from the Grove Rd entrance to CHS, and from the foot bridge crossing
into McIntire Park.  There are also trails in the old leaf dump area off of
Melbourne Road that will remain open.

Yours,

Ned Michie

-- 
Jesse at hackensawboys.com
434-249-9973
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