VA Tech students propose improvements for the Annandale Greenway
A handful of urban planning students at Virginia Tech developed a plan for enhancing and promoting the Annandale Greenway.
The greenway is a 4.5-mile pathway connecting park trails and sidewalks between Annandale Community Park and Green Spring Gardens.
The students, under the leadership of Prof. Shelley Mastran, put together a “story map,” a geographical information system (GIS), and a report. They presented their findings to Mason Supervisor Andres Jimenez on May 3.
The student’s findings will help guide the location of signage along the Annandale Greenway and help the grassroots Annandale Greenway Alliance advocate for improvements along the paths.
The story map highlights key points along the greenway with photos, highlighting park amenities and landmarks. It includes demographic data for the neighborhoods adjacent to the greenway, places of historical interest, and recommendations for signage to improve wayfinding.
Related story: Greening up the heart of Annandale
The students also identified safety challenges. There are places where people have to cross streets without crosswalks, such as Medford Drive and Braddock Road; places along the greenway without sidewalks, such as Poplar Street; and places with overgrown landscaping, such as between Manassas Gap Railroad Park and Medford Drive.
The students recommend adding beautification amenities, such as public art, benches, and more landscaping. They also suggest connecting the greenway to the Cross County Trail.
The development of the greenway is a collaborative effort of Fairfax County and the community. “The county has a huge amount of resources but the community has resources, as well,” said James Albright of the Annandale Greenway Alliance. “So putting those together is the best way to move forward.”
Fairfax County’s Community Revitalization Section is developing a kiosk with information about the Annandale Greenway for the Eileen Garnett Civic Space, which is at the center of the greenway. The alliance is working with the Fairfax County Department of Transportation and the Park Authority to implement safety and wayfinding enhancements.
Great idea. Annandale could always use improvements particularly regarding pedestrian paths and sidewalks (Poplar Street).
I am glad to see this trail get some attention but this had been in evaluation and planning for years. Annandale is increasing urban and with that more traffic and more traffic incidents with pedestrians and cyclist. Please take action to make these important improvements!