The Belvedere development is starting a new construction phase and needs Rivanna Trail users to stay on the new reroute (blue). We are hoping to work with the neighborhood in the future and build some amazing public trails, so help us maintain good relationships and avoid the old, closed section (red). Thank you.  

The Rivanna Trails Foundation is expanding our Board of Directors and seeking new members with diverse perspectives and backgrounds to join us in our mission to connect communities and people to one another and to nature. We are especially seeking candidates for the Board of Directors who can help manage and organize our growing volunteer base, lead Saturday work parties, take charge of small projects and community outreach events, and connect with land owners and developers to discuss trail planning.

Details here.

This year is the Rivanna Trail's 30th Anniversary, and to celebrate that milestone (as well as National Public Lands day, which is September 24), we are expanding our annual Loop de Ville hike into a full weekend of events. In partnership with Rivanna River Company and the Wool Factory, we're offering not only a series of hikes, runs, and rides on the trail, but also a couple events with live music, and local beer, wine, and food trucks offering their wares.

Our guided hikes and rides are free, though tickets are required for some of the after-hike festivities. Full details and registration forms are at this link.

This survey only occurs once every five years. Your answers will help ensure that Virginians have what they need to enjoy the commonwealth's great outdoor spaces. Survey findings will help shape DCR’s Virginia Outdoors Plan, a blueprint for the state’s future outdoor recreation programming and infrastructure.
www.dcr.virginia.gov/2022virginiaoutdoorssurvey

The Daily Progress reports that the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors has supported applying for a planning grant for $1.5 million to $3 million for the Three Notched Trail. The grant would pay for a feasibility study and initial design work. The full story here: https://dailyprogress.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/albemarle-to-apply-for-planning-grant-for-three-notched-trail/article_b624519e-b5eb-11ec-9412-9b2fccfdc7b4.html.

The Thomas Jefferson Foundation, who own and operate Monticello, recently acquired a riverfront property linking the historic parcels known as Lego and Shadwell. This critical acquisition allows the Foundation and Albemarle County to move forward with Greenway dedication that will allow for the extension of the County’s Old Mills Trail.

This Old Mills Trail will roughly travel the same route as the historic 3-Notch’d Trail on the north bank of the Rivanna River. The TNT passed through land that had comprised part of Thomas Jefferson’s original 5,000 acre plantation, including the Shadwell Mill. When constructed, this section of trail will essentially create the first leg of the Three Notched Trail in Albemarle County.

Please note that this proposed trail extension is not yet open. Some unauthorized trail work and tree clearing has already occurred, which cannot continue. We do not want to jeopardize this important new trail link with premature work, however well intentioned, and ask that nothing be done in this area without authorization from Monticello.

The Charlottsville-Albemarle Metropolitan Planning Organization completed a feasibility study in 2020 that identified two potential alignments for a bicycle and pedestrian bridge across the Rivanna River between Woolen Mills and Pantops, which would directly connect the Rivanna Trail to the east bank of the Rivanna. CA-MPO is conducting stakeholder and public engagement to determine which alignment is preferred by the community.

• Visit tinyurl.com/rivannabridge to take a survey and share your preference on the location
  
• Register for a public webinar on February 22 at 6:00 pm to discuss relative differences between the two alignments, answer questions, and receive public input on preferences. Meeting details at tinyurl.com/rivannabridge
• Submit a comment at campo.tjpdc.org/smart-scale/

Early morning users of the River North segment of the Rivanna Trail should be alert to the presence of bow hunters in parts of the Dunlora community to reduce the size of the deer herd. Culling areas are the four numbered sections shown on the map below. (Deer taken will be removed intact from Dunlora property by the hunters, and the meat donated to Hunters for the Hungry.)

Hunting may occur in marked areas between 5 AM and 9 AM. The hunting area will be marked with signs; please use extreme caution in those areas during hunting hours. Please keep pets on a leash and wear bright clothing if in the vicinity of hunting areas during hunting hours.

Any questions may be directed to the Dunlora Community Association Board via e-mail to the community manager, TimDurrer, at tdurrer@communitygroup.com.

September 25 is National Public Lands day, and to celebrate we are partnering with the Rivanna River Company and their Rivanna Roots concert series to offer a fun day on the Rivanna Trail. We’re also celebrating the new bridge at Woolen Mills and the implementation of our new signage project throughout the loop. If you've ever wondered where all the trail segments are located — or even just how to navigate from one segment to another — this is your opportunity to join a small group to experience the Rivanna Trail.

This year, we're offering opportunities to hike the full loop, bike the full loop, run a 5-mile segment, and for a family-friendly short walk along the paved section through Riverview Park. The day will conclude at the Rivanna River Company and the concert scheduled for that evening. There will be live music, with local beer, wine, and food trucks offering their wares. As an added incentive for completing one of our group events — beyond spending time on the RT — we will cover the concert admission for the first 20 participants who register for each option!

• The full loop hike begins at 8:00 AM at Free Bridge. Registration details here: Loop de Ville.
• The full loop bike ride, in partnership with the Charlottesville Area Mountain Bike Club, begins at 1:00 PM, also at Free Bridge. Registration details here: Bike the Loop.
• The no-drop run, in partnership with the Charlottesville Area Trail Runners, begins at 8:00 AM at Azalea Park. Registration details here: Run the RT.
• The family-friendly walk begins at the Rivanna RIver Company at 4:00 PM. Registration details here: Family-Friendly Walk.

The Rivanna Trails Foundation (RTF) is seeking an Intern for the 2021 summer. Main tasks involve coordinating volunteers to install "wayfinding" posts, trailhead signs, and maps around the 20 mile loop portion. The intern must be outgoing, motivated, and able to work independently on tasks. The timing of the work is flexible and should be completed by mid August. A stipend of $500 will be paid at the completion of the work. The intern must have their own reliable transportation; an additional $100 for mileage reimbursement is available.

Interested applicants should email RTF Board Member Allie Hill via AllieMaeHill@gmail.com. Please include why you would like to work with the Rivanna Trails Foundation and any questions about the internship.

INTERNSHIP TASK DESCRIPTIONS

Plan for New Sign Installation

• Approximately 50 wayfinding posts have been planned for and custom mileage signs are being printed. Sixteen 6"x6" wooden posts have been installed thus far with no printed signs yet attached. The remaining posts and all mileage signs will be installed this summer. This can be accomplished using volunteer groups, summer work parties, etc., with the intern leading this charge and organizing the activities. The RTF has tools for installation.
  
• Determine where new RTF trailhead signs should be installed.
• Plan for new road walk/discontinuous trail map signage.

Coordinate Printing RTF Paper Maps

• Work with RTF to print paper maps for the new kiosks being installed this summer.
• Coordinate printing of smaller maps for distribution to area bike and outdoor shops.
  

Make Suggestions for Signage Improvement

• When on the trail, make note where clarification signs are needed.