The Fairfax County Park Authority will host a public meeting to present design plans for a trail that will provide access to tidal wetlands from Martin Luther King Jr. Park in the Gum Springs area of Alexandria, Virginia. The meeting will take place in person on Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 6:30 p.m. at Gum Springs Community Center, located at 8100 Fordson Road, and streamed online.

Details on how to participate virtually are available at the Martin Luther King Jr. Park Trail project website.

Following the meeting, the Park Authority will accept public comments on the proposed interpretation of the site until 5 p.m. on Feb. 13. Comments can be submitted online via the project website.

The trail will begin on the western side of the playground and include a paved asphalt trail transitioning to a boardwalk, ending with an observation platform within the wetlands. The total length of the trail will be approximately 642 feet.

Prior to creating a conceptual design, the Park Authority also completed cultural resource studies to ensure the preservation of natural, cultural, and historical resources in the area and to inform interpretive signage that supports the educational and outreach objectives of the Park Authority.

For additional information, please contact the Public Information Office at Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

About Fairfax County Park Authority

Fairfax County Park Authority enriches the quality of life for all members of the community through an enduring park system that provides a healthy environment, preserves natural and cultural heritage, offers inspiring recreational experiences and promotes healthy lifestyles. Learn more by visiting the Park Authority website.