National Trails Day 2024 was a busy one for the Fairfax County Park Authority. Joined by U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly, members of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and trail users in all their varieties, the Park Authority commemorate the 10th anniversary of the naming of the Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail and the official opening of a new public restroom facility at the Laurel Hill Central Green.

The Cross County Trail, completed in 2005, was a hallmark achievement for Fairfax County under the leadership of then Chairman Gerry Connolly. In 2014, the Fairfax County Park Authority Board voted to rename the 42-mile trail that crosses every magisterial district while stretching between the Occoquan River in the south with the Potomac in the north.

“For a jurisdiction as large and as densely developed as Fairfax County is, having a 42-mile stretch of trail is an astounding achievement,” said Park Authority Executive Director Jai Cole. "Our trails are the most popular amenities we offer among our residents. They are a great way to encourage exercise and healthy lifestyles; to explore and stimulate creativity and thoughtfulness; and to connect neighborhoods across the county."

The event also celebrated the opening of a new restroom amenity at Laurel Hill Central Green. Having this newly installed facility will encourage residents of all ages to stay and play longer in the park and along the trails. It is also an essential feature to support the four large picnic shelters, playground, surrounding trails and disc golf course located at the Laurel Hill Central Green. The restroom will be open for public use daily from sunrise to sunset.

The Fairfax County Park Authority maintains 414 trails totaling more than 330 miles. They traverse hills, stream valleys, forests, wetlands and open meadows; run alongside ponds, lakes and rivers; connect numerous historic sites, park amenities and communities, and are home to a variety of plants, birds and wildlife. For more information, visit the Trails website.