Connectivity and Public Access

PEC works to enhance connectivity within communities and expand public access to parks, trails and open spaces.

Video: Gilberts Corner Regional Park: A Conservation Success Story

Video: Gilberts Corner Regional Park: A Conservation Success Story

Over 300 acres of land is conserved around Gilberts Corner, where Rt. 15 and Rt. 50 meet. The Piedmont Environmental Council has been working with NOVA Parks for over a decade to permanently protect the land there through conservation easements, while also opening significant parts of it up for the public to use. The results of this work are evident to anyone driving by and will be for generations to come.

The Sperryville Trail Network: Uniting a Community and Creating a Sense of Place

The Sperryville Trail Network: Uniting a Community and Creating a Sense of Place

You may have driven through Sperryville on your way to the Thornton Gap entrance to Shenandoah National Park. But this historic village is much more than just a place to pass through, and I found the Sperryville Trail Network to be the perfect tour guide

Third Annual Mobility Summit Celebrates Success, Launches Collective Work Plans

For the third February in a row, the Piedmont Mobility Alliance came together in Charlottesville to celebrate progress, discuss ways to broaden participation, and lay out some specific work plans for 2023.

Video: Expanding Access to the Rappahannock River

Video: Expanding Access to the Rappahannock River

PEC has been working with partners to make public access to the Rappahannock a reality for all who want to share in its bounty. In the past two years alone, three new boat launches have opened in Fauquier County, making it easier to put canoe or kayak in the water, take a swim, fish, or just sit and enjoy the beautiful river flowing by!

Continuing the Climate Conversation: An update from Albemarle

PEC is ramping up our activities and role within the broader Comprehensive Plan update process, developing recommendations that we hope, based on our study of climate threats in Albemarle, can serve as a model for other PEC counties.

New Fifeville Trail Grand Opening set for November 5

New Fifeville Trail Grand Opening set for November 5

On Saturday, Oct. 1, community leaders and residents of Charlottesville will celebrate the formal opening of the new Fifeville Trail with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:15 a.m., followed by a Community Block Party from 12 – 4 p.m. The ribbon cutting will be at Tonsler Park, 500 Cherry Avenue; the block party will be at the Shops at Cherry Avenue, 814-830 Cherry Avenue.