W&OD Trail's 50th Anniversary To Be Recognized In Vienna

VIENNA, VA — It's been 50 years since a former railroad turned into a trail for bicyclists and pedestrians in Northern Virginia.

The Washington & Old Dominion Trail's 50th anniversary will be celebrated in Vienna at 10 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 7 near the Red Caboose and Train Depot, 231 Dominion Rd., NE, Vienna. Mayor Linda Colbert, Vienna Town Council, Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn, Dransville District Supervisor James Bierman, Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik and others will present a resolution honoring the anniversary.

At the event, Colbert, NOVA Parks board members and Fairfax County Public Library will acknowledge a donation of historic W&OD artifacts to the Virginia Room and highlight the history of the trail.

Washington & Old Dominion Trail is a 45-mile train from Shirlington in Arlington County to Purcellville in Loudoun County on the footprint of the former Washington & Old Dominion Railroad. Now part of the NOVA Parks system, the trail's first documented ride was on Sept. 7, 1974. On Sept. 7, Falls Church Mayor Letty Hardi and Falls Church City Council unveiled a sign along the trail showing the location of the first ride.

Another event celebrating the 50th anniversary is the Spoke'n Word Bike Trail event with Loudoun County Public Library, Friends of the W&OD Trail and Bike Loudoun. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 5, trail users can stop for water, chat with staff or enter to win prizes at four stops along the 22 miles between Purcellville and Sterling. Fairfax and Arlington County libraries will also be participating at other locations along the trail.