Only 140 Trees Would Be Removed Under New Trail Plan Rather Than The 180 First Proposed

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — Under a modified plan for the John Mason Trail put together by Fairfax City staff, only an estimated 140 trees would need to be removed during the first phase of the project, according to a city spokesman. This is down from original estimates that said around 380 trees would need to be removed.

The city council will be voting at its Tuesday night meeting whether to endorse its application to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority for 70 percent funding for Fiscal Year 2027. If passed, this motion will secure $6.8 million to pay for the trail project.

Since the John Mason Trail is part of the Two-Year Transportation Plan adopted unanimously by the city council on June 22, 2020, a public hearing is not required.

"During Tuesday’s council meeting, staff will review the project and present possible alternative approaches for council to consider, either now or at a future time," City Spokesman Matthew Kaiser said. "Council will decide whether to support submitting the original request, support submitting a modified plan, or suspending the submission."

The city has an Oct. 1 deadline to submit its endorsed application to the NVTA.

City staff created a modified plan after receiving public feedback in letters and at the council's Sept. 14 meeting.

The original plan had drawn criticism in recent weeks over the number of trees that were going to be removed and the proposal to use asphalt or other non-permeable materials to pave parts of the trail. The plan was adjusted to address the concerns expressed by the public.

"After hearing comment from the public at the September 14 meeting and via email, the proposal has been modified to phase the project and utilize a pier/boardwalk system, which requires less tree removal than an asphalt or similarly graded trail," the revised staff report says. "Subsequent phases will be discussed at a later date. The modified request for funding endorsement is for Phase 1 of the trail using the modified construction method mentioned above. This project was approved in the City's Two Year Transportation Program."

Phase 1 encompasses the section of the trail running east/west from Pickett Road to Daniels Run Trail.

"A boardwalk along the dam was already proposed, but the revised plan includes installing a boardwalk along the entire east/west trail," Kaiser said. "The original plan included asphalt for the portions of the trail east and west of the boardwalk across the dam."

Phase 2 would encompass the north/south section of the trail, according to Kaiser. No timeline has been set for that phase, which would only occur if the council decides to pursue it at later date.

Related: Fewer Trees Targeted In Revised John Mason Trail Plan In Fairfax

The council meets Tuesday at 7 p.m. in council chambers at City Hall, 10455 Armstrong St.
Those wishing to speak in person can sign up by calling 703-385-7935. Members of the public can speak on any topic not subject to a public hearing during the public comment portion of the meeting.

Those who wish to dial in to speak can call 571-282-3524. Callers are queued on a first-come, first-serve basis. Each speaker will have 3 minutes to speak and will need to provide their name and address prior to making their comments.