The dedication of a trail in King George draws supporters and a number of opponents
Date published: 6/4/2006
By JEFF BRANSCOME
The dedication of a controversial hiking and biking trail in King George County kicked off with gray skies and a little rain yesterday morning.
And it didn't take long for a storm to erupt--in the form of picketing residents and angry chants.
David Brickley, a former state legislator from Woodbridge, plans to turn an abandoned rail bed near Dahlgren into a 16-mile trail. He's calling it the Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail, and said he "acquired the rights" to the property from Joe Williams, a former planning commissioner in the county.
The idea has been proposed a number of times over the last 10 years and has never failed to infuriate nearby homeowners. They say a trail will bring crime, litter and noise to the area--claims others call exaggerations.
Yesterday morning, Brickley addressed at least 50 supporters at a portion of the trail that is bisected by Indian Town Road. Thirteen took a five-mile bike ride to the site, while most others were bused in from Caledon Natural Area.
"If the generations to come are able to use this, I think it will be a tribute to all of us," Brickley told the gathering.
On the other side of the street, 11 protesters picketed and at times shouted, "Hey, hey, ho, ho, David Brickley's gotta go."
John LoBuglio, a protester and nearby homeowner, used a walkie-talkie to communicate with other trail opponents scattered around the area. He stressed that many of them don't live near the trail.
Most of the trail's supporters, including Brickley, laughed off the incessant chanting during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
When the picketers first stormed across a portion of the trail, Brickley told them with a smile, "Don't trespass, now."
Emotions flared at times, such as when one trail opponent shouted, "Put it in your backyard, not ours."
"It's private property," a trail supporter fired back. "You're wasting your time."
A deputy from the King George Sheriff's Office and an officer with the Virginia State Police parked their cruisers on the side of the road during the ceremony.
They stood on land owned by Doily Fulcher, 62, who said he opposes the trail because it will encroach on 113 acres he owns.
Caledon and the DRHT(posted by
trail_friend
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
With respect to the comment that you'd bet we'd oppose the trail if it went through our back yard... the trail actually DOES go through the backyard of the President of the Friends' of the DRHT and within 200 yards of the Vice President. Mr. Brickley also has a trial very nearby his house. Caledon does not allow biking. And why are we limited to one place to hike? Also, there is a fee to enter Caledon. Can't we have hiking and biking recreation that doesn't charge an entry fee?
Transfer or donate?(posted by
picabo70
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
What is the real objective? When the railroad trail gets transfered to the state will there be a monetary gain? As a life long King George resident, there is one thing I do know for sure, Mrs. Smoot did donate 2,579 acres, which is Caledon, which has five great hiking trails and a new 4 mile one in the works. King George residents welcome Boy Scouts and others to hike all they want at the donated Caldedon. If this railroad trail went through your backyard would you be against it, my bet is yes.
Stepping into Disinformation(posted by
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
Fortunately, pictures speak 1000 words. This article fails to accurately represent the support and spirit shown toward the DRHT. Supporters easily numbered 2-3 times that reported. Look at the pictures and you'll see King George (not just evil foreigners) Scouts, HS band members, residents, and businesses stepping up to the plate to show they care, while the protesters (rightly) appear as lone wolves. Look to the smiles on faces of the hikers and their kids to help decide whether the trail is good or not.
Ashamed that he is a Republican(posted by
peabody
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
John Headley is indicative of what is wrong with the Republican party today. The fact that he would imply that he speaks for all Republicans is abhorrent. I would like to ask Mr. Headley one question. Since the trail is a former railroad righ-of-way, how is a hiking/biking trail through a black cemetary racist, but running trains through the same cemetary was not racist?
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