This NoVA Trail System Will Get A New Visitor's Center In Vienna

VIENNA, VA – Vienna will soon get a new visitors' center for the Washington and Old Dominion Trail that traverses the town.

Virginia State Senator Saddam Salim and Delegate Holly Seibold announced on Wednesday that $1 million had been earmarked in Virginia’s new state budget to purchase property for the new center.

In a release, Salim and Seibold said the new center will help draw cyclists and pedestrians from outside the region and provide a hub for trail activities.

The paved trail, which is part of the NOVA Parks system, runs for 45 miles between Shirlington and Purcellville. There is also an adjacent 32-mile gravel horse trail. The trail follows the route of an old railroad and became part of NOVA Parks in 1974. Its final nine miles into Purcellville were opened in 1988.

In a press release, Salim said, “I introduced this budget amendment at the request of the Town of Vienna’s Economic Development Department because I have heard from countless residents who use the trail and want to see it protected. With Fairfax County’s continued growth, we as elected officials must be proactive in defending our natural resources, and the W&OD trail is such a unique resource for this community. This visitors' center is an investment which shows our commitment to the trail’s future as well as the future of bike and pedestrian travel throughout our region.”

In 2025, Vienna officials began exploring the possibility of a visitors' center, as the town is at the geographical center of the trail. At the time, two properties were considered as sites for the new center: 125 Church Street and 200 Dominion Road. It’s not clear yet where the new center will be built.