Wish there were more transportation and recreational options in Remington that both reconnect the community and encourage active lifestyles? Good news! In 2016 we received a grant from the PATH Foundation to improve park, trail, and pedestrian opportunities in this small but fast-growing community in southern Fauquier County. The grant includes two parts: 1) $19,000 toward creating public access on the Rappahannock Station Battlefield Park and 2) $45,000 for the Remington Walks planning project.
More information on this effort below:
Rappahannock Station Battlefield Park
Rappahannock Station Battlefield Park is a 26-acre site along the Rappahannock River just outside of the Town of Remington. In 2006, PEC worked with partner organizations and private donors to raise $500,000 to match the County’s $375,000 to purchase the site. PEC put an easement on the property and then transferred it to the County. In 2010, an American Battlefield Preservation Program was awarded to the County which funded the creation of the “Rappahannock Station I & II Civil War Battlefield Master Plan.” The plan was adopted in 2012, but little progress was made toward implementing the plan.
In 2017, PEC renewed the push for the Rappahannock Station Battlefield Park with help from the $19,000 PATH Foundation grant and a $5,000 grant from the Kordlant Fund. With these additional funds and the strong support of Supervisor Chris Butler, Phase 1 of the park construction was funded in the approved 2018 County budget. Phase 1 includes survey work, access to the site, parking, and construction of an interpretive trail around the property.
Remington Walks!
The Piedmont Environmental Council is leading an effort, in partnership with various community groups and the Town of Remington, to develop a plan for future walking routes, trails, sidewalks, parks and bikeways. We were in Remington between April 19th-21st for a series of events included open houses, listening sessions, stakeholder groups, walking tours and a community presentation of the initial recommendations.
Nationally-recognized experts in walkability, Toole Design Group, facilitated an engaging and community-led process that will result in a prioritized plan for future investments. Here’s a look at their initial presentation given on April 21, 2017:
You can download the PDF of the 4/21/17 presentation if you would like a copy. Please contact Julie Bolthouse of The Piedmont Environmental Council at [email protected] or (540-347-2334 ext. 7042) with any questions.
Our partners on this effort include the Remington Community Garden, Remington Community Partnership, Fauquier Trails Coalition, Friends of the Rappahannock, the Town of Remington, and Fauquier County Economic Development and Parks and Recreation.
Points of Interest
Keep in mind that:
- Remington is a small but fast growing community near the Rappahannock River with both a significant influx of new commuter residents and a core of long-standing residents. Many of the new households are young families with children. Remington also has a diverse population and a number of elderly residences.
- Being an old railroad community, there are few sidewalks and getting around with a stroller or in a wheel-chair is difficult. Although the area is beautiful with an abundance of historical and natural amenities, there are few common areas for recreation, tourism, and there is no official public access to the river.
- Our goal through this project is to develop a plan for future parks, trails, sidewalks, and bikeways in the greater Remington community and create an action plan that includes potential funding opportunities for implementing the plan!
Additional background information on both Rappahannock Station Park and Remington Walks can be found in our 2016 member newsletter article titled “A small town with a lot to offer“.