Meadowood Trail Map – click for larger image.
BLM‘s Doug Vinson writes:
There is a new mountain biking opportunity in Northern Virginia at the Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area, in Lorton, on the Mason Neck peninsula. Meadowood is managed by the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management.
Meadowood recently opened the South Branch Loop Trail, a 4.7 mile long loop trail open to hiking and mountain biking. It is the first constructed natural surface trail open to mountain bikes on BLM-managed land east of the Mississippi River, and one of the few natural surface trails open to mountain bikes on federal land in the greater Washington D.C. area.
The BLM is constructing up to three miles of mountain bike specific trails to connect with the South Branch Loop that will create a diverse, unique, and progressive riding experience for all skill levels. Construction is underway and is expected to be completed by late August 2013.
These trails are funded by a BLM program called Challenge Cost Share. This is not a grant, rather it works through cooperative partners to help accomplish high priority work to support habitat improvement, comprehensive travel management, recreation and cultural projects. This program has statutory requirement for non-federal cost share funds or in-kind service requirements. Funds are required to be cost-shared one non-federal dollar for each federal dollar per State office. The matching funds must be non-federal in origin.
The BLM has partnered with the Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE) to be its cost sharing partner for this project. MORE is a 501c (3) nonprofit organization representing thousands of area mountain bikers. Founded in 1992, MORE maintains more than 400 miles of natural-surface trails in 41 state and county parks throughout the region. MORE members contribute more than 6,000 volunteer hours annually and have constructed nearly 100 miles of new, sustainable trail. The club also leads hundreds of rides each year at local parks, ranging from beginner to advanced levels.
This project will not be possible without financial support and sweat equity from individuals, local businesses and the mountain biking community. If you would like to volunteer to help with this project please contact BLM Recreation Technician Doug Vinson at (703) 339-3465 or by email dvinson@blm.gov. Volunteering earns us $22/hour towards our fundraising goal.
We are also in need of donations to complete this project. Your generous contribution will go directly to the Meadowood Trail Project and all donations are tax deductible. Checks can be made out to MORE, c/o Meadowood and mailed to MORE, P.O. Box 2662, Fairfax, VA 22031. Online contributions can be done through Paypal, via the project’s website at http://meadowoodproject.org/
Trail work dates and other information can be found on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TheMeadowoodProject
I’m attaching a flyer (PDF, also below) for our trail work series.
Thank you, and please let me know if you have any questions.
—
Doug Vinson
Recreation Technician
Bureau of Land Management-Eastern States
10406 Gunston Road
Lorton, Virginia 22079
(703) 673-8727 cell
(703) 339-3465 office
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