Little Support for Winters Branch Trail Extension

The Winters Branch Trail Extension project does not seem to be getting much support from council members or citizens.

The Department of Public Works updated The Manassas City Council on the details of the trail extension project Wednesday evening during a work session and provided a summary of feedback received from citizens on the project.

Of the 32 people surveyed, 29 did not want the project.

"I am just questioning why we would want to build a project...when 29 of the people who live right there don't want it," said Council Member Marc Aveni.

"I just don't think in an urban area like Manassas with crime problems, people want to live near trails," said Aveni, who referenced an incident over the summer where a man exposed himself to two different women on an area trail.

Public Works staff said the trail project would clear out a lot of trees, making the area less secluded and increase property values of nearby homes.

The project would extend the current Winters Branch Trail northward by 2,600 feet from Wellington Road to Runaldue Street, continuing to Grant Avenue and into Old Town. The trail extension is also expected to service the Georgetown South and Rolling Oaks commmunities, as well as the Boys and Girls Club—all of which support the project, according to Public Works staff.

The project was identified as the top trail priority established by the city's Recreation and Parks Committee, which is no longer active. The total cost for the trail project is 629K, which has been funded through various stages of the city's Capital Improvement Project (CIP) since 1998. The cost includes construction for a pedestrian bridge, land use and planning and design of the project.

Council Member Jon Way said the "special project" would benefit a very small number of citizens and that it might be more appropriate at a time when the city is operating with a lot of  surplus money.

Citizens intrested in learning more about the project should attend the City Council Budget Work Sesson on March 5.