News
About our Trails
Meadowcreek Parkway Trail Closure and Detour
Construction has begun on the portion of the Meadowcreek Parkway which runs from Rio Road to Melbourne Rd. This project is expected to take two an a half years and will cause the section of the Rivanna Trail from Melbourne Rd to the Norfolk Southern Railroad overpass to be closed for most of that period. RTF is actively working with Albemarle County and VDOT to ensure that as much of this section of trail can be preserved as possible. For your safety, PLEASE respect the trail closure signs and stay out of the construction area. More detailed information is available about this project at http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/culpeper/meadow_creek.asp
<< Detour Information >>
(Download a map)
From Park St. to Hydraulic Road: Follow the sidewalk on Melbourne Road. Left down the steps behind the CHS Baseball field. Left across the bridge into McIntire Park. Right onto the trail at the end of the bridge. Follow the trail to Meadwbook Heights Road. Right on Meadowbrook Heights and Left on Grove Road. Right onto sidewalk to Hydraulic Road.
From Park St. to Greenbrier Park: Follow the sidewalk on Melbourne Road to Kenwood Lane. Right on Kenwood to Jamestown Drive. Left on Lester and follow Jamestown to the end. Enter Greenbrier Park.
From Greenbrier Park to Park Street: Exit the park at the bridge to the circle at the end of Jamestown Drive. Follow Jamestown to Kenwood Lane. Right on Kenwood and Left on Melbourne Road. Follow the sidewalk along Melbourne to Park Street.
Meadowcreek Stream Restoration Project
Latest News
Meadow Creek, one of the City's major waterways, has been selected to undergo a major stream restoration in 2008-2009. The restoration will result in improved water quality, as well as enhanced aquatic habitat and aesthetic values.
This project will impact the Rivanna Trail betwen Hydraulic Road and the Norfolk Southern Railroad overpass at the south end of Greenbrier Park.
There will be opportunity for the public to review, comment and ask questions about the stream restoration project. TNC does not have any new information to share at this point. They are still in the concept design phase and the concept design information was shared with the community at the Open House last September. They anticipate hiring a consultant to complete the final design and construction of the project this fall and will have another public meeting (and additional meetings as needed) once we have more design elements identified and prior to finalizing the design. The timing for this will be fleshed out once they have their consultant on board.
City Council action will be required to approve the conservation easement on Greenbrier Park and other city-owned lands in the stream restoration project area. This has not yet been scheduled but it is anticipated to take place this fall. There will be two readings and a public hearing.
To find out more details, and to follow the progress of this project, visit the project web site at www.charlottesville.org.
Meadowcreek Sanitary Sewer Intercepter Upgrade Project
Latest News
The Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority is proposing a major repair and upgrade to a sewer interceptor line between Bodo's on Morton Drive and the confluence of Meadow Creek and the South Fork of the Rivanna River. This is a multi-million dollar project has the potential to dramatically alter the landscape in the northeast quadrant of the City and will have a significant impact on the Rivanna Trails both during and after construction.
Meetings are being scheduled with individual neighborhood associations in July. It will be an opportunity for citizen input on the proposed landscaping plans for the sewer right-of-way, and also an opportunity for citizens to review the proposed design, proposed allowed work hours, or any other aspect of the Meadow Creek Interceptor project.
A sewer easement through Greenbrier Park will need to be approved by City Council. RWSA staff and counsel have provided information to the City Attorney’s office, it is up to the City to schedule when this matter will appear before City Council.
To find out more details, and to follow the progress of this project, visit the project web site at www.rivanna.org.
New Trails at Belvedere
Directions: From Rio Road East, turn onto Belvedere Drive (located just east of the railroad tracks). Go through two roundabouts, the first of which has new homes near it. Continue straight ahead on a gravel road until you see a dirt road going downhill to the RIGHT. If you’re in a car, turn and park here. WALK down the dirt road to a clump of huge oak trees. Near the oaks, to the RIGHT, there’s a trail that leads to the trails in the Dunlora neighborhood that we built on National Trails Day 2008. STRAIGHT AHEAD is the new trail that is part of the new Belvedere development. This trail goes downhill, bends left to the north, follows the edge of fields and forest, crosses a small stream, and continues through forest with views of the Rivanna River all the way to a high railroad trestle. We do NOT have permission to cross under the tracks or to walk beyond them. Please stay on the trail, and respect the rights of private landowners.
The RTF gives a big thanks to Stonehaus Builders for their cooperation and dedication to trails as an important community resource.
National Trails Day 2009
National Trails Day was once again a resounding success!
With the help of over 75 volunteers who turned out on Saturday, June 5 we managed to break new trail, re-establish old trails, and make steady progress on our goal of extending the River North Trail north from Pen Park through the new Belvedere neighborhood. We couldn’t have had more perfect weather and we couldn’t have done it without your help.
Big thanks to:
Our sponsor Blue Ridge Mountain Sports (BRMS) and other key supporters such as the Charlottesville Running Company, the Outdoor Adventure Social Club, the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County for their generous support on National Trails Day and throughout the year;
John Holden (Vice-President of RTF and Manager of BRMS in Charlottesville) and his crew from BRMS, and for dedicating their time on Saturday and beforehand to make sure the day was a success;
Alan Yost (Principal, Charlottesville Catholic School) for supporting the RTF by allowing us to use their fine facility;
Becky Weybright, Eve Somerville, and Craig Thomas for staffing the sign-in tables and managing logistics at the NTD base;
Our friends from the Charlottesville Area Mountain Biking Club (CAMBC) for lending their trail-building expertise;
Diana Foster (RTF Board Member) for route finding and task identification prior to NTD.
But most of all, we’d like to thank you.
RTF is an all-volunteer organization that relies on the commitment of its members like you to get things done. If you missed National Trails Day, or came and couldn’t get enough trail building, don’t forget our second Saturday workdays. The next workday will be on Saturday, July 11th.
You can also find us on Facebook at http://tinyurl.com/rtfonfacebook, where you can make a donation, invite your friends to join, give us feedback, and receive information about upcoming trail-related events. Please keep an eye out for an announcement about our Annual Meeting, to be held this fall.
As always, we welcome your feedback on how we can reach more trail-minded people and meet the need for non-motorized trails not only on National Trails Day, but also throughout the year. Thanks for your continued support!
WINTER TRAILS DAY 2009
Rivanna River North
Our first Winter Trails Day on Saturday, January 10, 2009 was a big success:
1) Despite discouraging weather forecasts the previous 3 days, Saturday
dawned cool and clear. The temperatures rose under sunshine to the low 40s -
perfect for the hard work we had on the agenda;
2) Approximately 80 people showed up to help, many of them new to the RTF. This was even more impressive seeing that UVa was not back in session yet;
3) We completed (cleared, groomed, marked) about 2 miles of new trails
running (much along the Rivanna River) from Dunlora through Belvedere to the
end the border of the their property with the RR. We also have have a nice
new trail going through through the hills that runs inland from the River
Trail.
We have much more to do to get these trails in top shape, but the initial
work has been done. We are also going to need to work hard to get the proper
permanent protection for these trials in place. This is already underway.
Less than 24 hours after the new trail was opened we encountered a recreational runner, a serious long distant runner from Forest Lakes and an older gentleman with a stick walking at a leisurely pace. All were ecstatic about the new trails and the beauty of the land now open for enjoyment. They thanked the RTF and all of those who helped.
Special thanks go to:
1) All of you that attended the trails day;
2) Those of you that helped plan the routes, refreshments, and spread the word about the event;
3) All of you who have supported our "thinking outside of the loop."
4) A Very Special Thanks to Stonehaus for their cooperation and dedication to trails as an important community resource.
This success inspires us all. Not only can we think outside of the loop, but
we can act outside of the loop as well. What an excellent harbinger of
successes to come! Congratulations!
NATIONAL TRAILS DAY 2008
Rivanna River North
A Great BIG Thank You to everyone who pitched in despite record breaking heat to make our 12th annual National Trails Day a huge success!
Over 130 intrepid volunteers helped us make a great start on our push upriver and north of Meadow Creek. We laid at least a mile of new trail, refurbished old trail, mowed a trail through tough meadow grass, built an incredible footbridge and two equally impressive bog bridges, and pulled huge piles of big and heavy trash out of streams and nearby forests. Many thanks go to our dedicated volunteers and our partnering organizations. To reach the trails, go to the northeast corner of Pen Park (near the Rivanna River), and just start heading northward upriver. Please pay attention to signage differentiating public trails from private ones. Enjoy the hike!
RTF thanks this year’s National Trails Day partners:
• Albemarle County
• Charlottesville Area Mountain Bike Club
• Charlottesville Running Company
• City of Charlottesville
• Blue Ridge Mountain Sports
• Outdoor Adventure Social Club
• Rivanna Conservation Society
National Trails Day 2007
New hiking trails in McIntire Park
On June 2, RTF celebrated National Trails Day locally by creating almost two miles of new recreational trails for public use in and near McIntire Park and by cleaning half a mile of the park’s streams.
More than 150 volunteers and a dozen community groups joined us in implementing this ambitious project. We are especially indebted to the following organizations for their support and generosity.
Charlottesville City Parks Recreation & Golf
Blue Ridge Mountain Sports
Ragged Mountain Running Shop
Charlottesville Area Mountain Biking Club
Charlottesville Running Company
Charlottesville Fire Fighters
Outdoor Adventure Social Club
Living Education Center for Ecology and the Arts
Virginia Native Plant Society
Song Sharing
Food Lion
Harris Teeter
Giant
We invite everyone to visit these beautiful forested and streamside trails soon, all located conveniently in the center of our city. Starting from near the Rivanna Trail trailhead on Melbourne Road, cross the road, walk uphill toward Charlottesville High School, and turn off the sidewalk onto the new trails just north of the black chain link fence. Hikers, please abide by all City Park guidelines, stay on the trails, and avoid venturing onto the nearby golf course.
National Trails Day 2006
New hiking trails in McIntire Park
THE DAY: Once again RTF, with its intrepid volunteers, completed the unbelievable. One hundred and sixty volunteers strong, in a few short hours, we
--- Opened up a brand new recreational facility in the largest City park.
--- Built and cleared approximately two miles of trail.
--- Installed two stream crossings.
--- Rescued dozens of native plants.
--- Cleaned the entire stream between the McIntire Park and Charlottesville High
School.
--- Spent less than $800 excluding construction materials.
--- Worked in full partnership with eight terrific organizations.
--- Worked and partied to the music of the Charlottesville Community Drum Choir,
Song Sharing, and Tom Proutt and Emily McCormick
--- Gratefully accepted support from Food Lion at Pantops, Harris Teeter at Barracks
Road Shopping Center, and Albemarle County Parks & Recreation.
TO HIKE THE TRAILS: Park near the baseball fields in McIntire Park, and walk past shelter #1 and down the hill toward CHS. Just BEFORE the pedestrian bridge to CHS look for trailheads leading right and left. The trail to the RIGHT will take you to Melbourne Road, to a new connector trail alongside the chain link fence at the football stadium, and on to the old road bed of the Melbourne Loop. The trail to the LEFT leads to a network of four roughly parallel trails through incredibly beautiful forest behind the fire station on the Rt. 250 bypass. If you continue on the creekside trail (the segment farthest away from the bypass), you can walk all the way to Meadowbrook Heights Road and then connect with our Hydraulic Road trail segment.
Click here to view an aerial map of the new trail layout.
Click here to download a pdf version of the aerial map.
Click here to view a sketch of where these new trails are located in relation to the Rivanna Trail Loop.
National Trails Day 2005
On June 4th, the RTF celebrated National Trails Day by hosting a community-wide “party” to prepare the Rivanna Trail for the upcoming hiking season. More than 150 enthusiastic volunteers gathered at McIntire Park , armed with hand tools and dressed for a morning of hard work on the Trail. Shelter #1 was a bevy of excitement as volunteers selected work assignments, picked up T-shirts from Blue Ridge Mountain Sports and bottled water from Blue Ridge Outdoors, greeted old and new friends, and learned about invasive plants from the Virginia Native Plant Society.
Buses, provided by the Charlottesville Parking Center , delivered volunteers to seventeen different work sites. In many cases joined by additional volunteers from surrounding neighborhoods, workers repaired five stream crossings and clipped and groomed more than twenty miles of the hiking trails that encircle the city. At noon workers returned to McIntire Park to celebrate their achievements with lunch, music, and prizes.
Once again, we experienced the reward of seeing what many hands working together can accomplish. RTF wishes to thank everyone who helped make National Trails Day truly a community celebration:
Property owners who have given the public permission to hike on their lands
RTF members and friends
Blue Ridge Mountain Sports
City of Charlottesville ’s Parks and Grounds Department
Charlottesville Parking Center
Outdoor Adventure Social Club
Blue Ridge Outdoors
Virginia Native Plant Society
Albemarle County Parks and Recreation Department
Science Strategies, Inc.
Song Sharing and “Grasping at Laws”
Harris Teeter
Papa John’s Pizza
Rivanna Conservation Society
The Hook
C-ville
Daily Progress
RTF welcomes the public to visit the Rivanna Trail this summer. Enjoy the health benefits that hiking provides. Escape to the cool shade of our stream corridors; tune in to the sounds of river and forest. Take a hike.
National Trails Day 2004
On National Trails Day (in the rain, again!), RTF opened our newest trail.
This Pen Park connector adds miles of new hiking opportunities for the
community.
Go take a hike.
This is the route from south to north; you decide your best approach.
Whatever your route, however, please please please don't hike or run on the
golf course.
Start on the Rivanna Trail in Locust Grove, downstream of Holmes Ave.,
downhill from Megan Court, upstream from the mouth of Meadow Creek. Look for
a rock hop across Meadow Creek. This rock hop is rustic and is crossable
only in low to normal water height.
After crossing the stream, enter private property on which we have
permission for trail and foot traffic. Go uphill a short distance through
the woods, turn left and pass through a gate in a chain link fence, and
immediately turn right to follow the path along the fence. (There is an old
road straight ahead, but we ask that you follow the grassy path because your
footsteps help keep it clear. If you ever want to come cut it with a weed
whacker this summer, we welcome that too!) Pass through a second gate onto
the tail end of Pen Park Lane.
Walk up Pen Park Lane until you find a gate at the southwest corner of Pen
Park. Go through the gate and follow the forest trail all the way to Pen
Park Road. Please stay off the golf course, and don't go on the side trail
to the left to the Charlottesville Catholic School unless invited. (The
administration and families of the school fully supported the building of
the trail and worked side by side with us, but we want to respect their
privacy, especially during school hours.)
At Pen Park Road turn right. Just past the City's Parks Department office,
turn left onto a mown grass trail that connects to the exercise trails.
Follow this hard surfaced exercise trail until you come to a soft-surface
trail going uphill. At the top of the hill turn right.
As you approach the Rivanna River you have two trail choices:
