POPS: A Plan for our Open Places and Spaces

Arlington is updating its Public Spaces Master Plan, which covers all their trail planning and they're taking comments through August 11th. Trails are one of eight high level policy statements that form the framework for ongoing and future actions, and expanding the trail system is an explicitly stated goal.

The plan includes the goal of creating two trail loops.

Other goals are

• Evaluate opportunities to create better connections across or around current barriers, including the George Washington Memorial Parkway, I-395, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, the National Foreign Affairs Training Center, Arlington National Cemetery, and the Army Navy Country Club
• Connect Long Bridge Park to the Mount Vernon Trail.
• Filling in trail and sidewalk gaps
• Improve and add connections to adjacent trail systems beyond the County, and show connections on signage and in communication materials
• Wider trails with more separation markings.
• Better trail connections
• Improve signage and give every trail a name

Comments

[drumz]

This does a good job addressing gaps but the biggest gap that doesn't show up at all is the N/S through the middle of the county (roughly along Glebe Road).

I don't think there is a trail specific solution to that but it's frustrating you have to go so far out of your way to find a nice biking route to go N/S or deal with either monster roads or the maddening grid.

That said, all the other specific ideas are great, especially the signage.

[South Arlington]

Hills make north-south connections tough...not saying they shouldn't be done, but I doubt they would attract many casual riders.

Strongly support named/numbered trails, treating biking/walking more like a form of transportation than just leisure.