Loudoun County Feasibility Study
Project Overview
NVRC partnered with the National Park Service and Loudoun County to identify the most feasible Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (PHNST) route options for completing the PHNST network gap in Loudoun County, Virginia. The project identified, assessed, and presented the feasibility of potential routes, including cost of trail construction, maintenance, land ownership, accessibility, park connections, and scenic views. The project also evaluated maintenance and other key elements, including material information required for input into Capital Improvement Plans (CIPs) and for developing preliminary engineering scopes for trail completion.
NVRC selected design and planning firm, Lardner Klein, to conduct this study. View the Consultant Request for Proposals.
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Schedule
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January 2024: Project kicked off with primary stakeholders and Lardner Klein.
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March 2024: Lardner Klein developed plan, schedule, and began meeting with stakeholders.
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March - May 2024: Lardner Klein developed methodology for feasibility study.
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May 16, 2024: First public meeting was open to all interested parties from the general public (e.g., individuals, businesses, organizations) and hosted at Lucketts Community Center in Lucketts, VA from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm on Thursday, May 16th. Informational map displays were available for informal review with the consulting firm and project managers between 6:00 and 7:00 pm, followed by a brief presentation and discussion at 7:00 pm. Read the updated press release (May 10, 2024) about the meeting and view the informational flier. ​​​
June 2024: Lardner Klein conducted a pilot analysis. A public feedback period also concluded on Monday, June 3rd.
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July - October 2024: Lardner Klein conducted full analyses and developed draft products.
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October 2024: NVRC and project partners hosted a public meeting on Tuesday October 29, 2024, from 6 – 8 PM at the Ida Lee Recreation Center in Leesburg, Virginia to offer the opportunity for community members to learn about and provide feedback on the initial results of the feasibility study. Informational displays and maps were available for informal review with the consulting firm and project managers between 6 and 7 PM, followed by a brief presentation and discussion at 7 PM. There was also an option for remote participation during the meeting’s presentation portion from 7 – 8 PM. The general public, including community members, businesses, and other interested parties, were encouraged to provide their input on the initial outcomes of the study. Feedback during this public meeting will help the consulting firm and project managers finalize results from the study. View the event's informational flier. Meeting materials are available below.
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January/February 2025: Project completion​​​​
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Meeting Materials and Resources
Press Releases
​​​​​February 2024 Press Release
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Public Meeting #1 Materials
Public Meeting #1 Presentation
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Map Displays
​​Public Meeting #2 Materials
Public Meeting #2 Presentation
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Map Displays
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Study Results
Final Report
​​​​​​​The final report produced by Lardner/Klein provides detailed findings from the feasibility study, including public and private lands, river access points, and existing roads that could be linked together to form a new section of the trail in Loudoun County. Two appendices are also included with the report, which share public comments received during the study process as well as maps and tables that highlight study findings.
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​​​​Appendices
Appendix 1: Public Comment Tracking Matrix
Report Summary Materials​
Fact Sheet - 2024 Loudoun Feasibility Study
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For any questions about the study, including findings and next steps, please contact Rebecca Murphy at rmurphy@novaregion.org.
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