W & OD Trail- Arlington: Place to Park?
 

This afternoon, my sis-in-law and brother plan to take the kids to the WOD and do some riding. They will be driving the bikes out there (we're in Arlington just off Glebe and Eades Rd). They were wondering if there was a place to park, then walk the bikes onto the trail. Do any of you know where the parking lots are along the W & OD? If so, do you have some directions on how to get to that spot?

Thanks! :)

Koffee

Sorry I wasn't on line to see you post earlier. Hope I'm not too late.

I like to park at Bon Air Park on Wilson Blvd. at Lexington, or across from it at Manchester, next to the tennis courts. Just west of George Mason Drive. Good kick off place for either the WOD or Custis trail, and I like to wander through the gardens. Roses are just past peak.

There is a small lot at Long Branch Nature Center, S. 6th street off of Carlin Springs, behind the hospital.

I think Bluemont Junction and Glencarlyn Park have parking, but I'm not sure how to get to it.

For street parking, Barcroft neighborhood near S. 8th st and Wakefield. The west end of 7th or 8th connects to the trail. You can get there off of George Mason.

You could also park in Glen Carlin near the library.

Kennsington and N. 5th also has a connector trail. Near Bon Air, south of Wilson.

On weekends, East Falls Church Metro lot, or one of the garages in Shirlington are ok choices.

From South Glebe and Eades, why not ride all the way. Get on the Four Mile Run Trail at the south end of Eades (at the cul-de-sac) and take it to the bike bridge across I395 to Shirlington. You'll need to switch to roads where West Glebe and South Glebe meet, but just cross the creek and follow the bike route signs along Custis. It is an ok ride, I use it often.

Hope that helps.

For some reason, my brother just doesn't trust me to take his kids on a simple bike ride. He barey rides, can't even ride 2 miles without totally losing it, doesn't have a helmet, and hasn't ridden a bike more than about 3 times total. He also has no idea about any of the paths. I made a simple suggestion... we drive to the parking lot at Giant over at Glebe and Meade, then hop on the bike path and head east on Four Mile Run to Mt. Vernon, then swing up and head south on the Mt. Vernon trail, and we're home free. He is absolutely adament that the kids cannot do it. *sigh* In the meantime, the kids are nearly crying (ages 6 and 8) because they want to go biking so bad, but if my brother doesn't give the go ahead, we aren't going anywhere anytime soon.

I'll keep at him in the meantime. He would never go for the ride to Shirlington. At some point, we'd have to cross Glebe Rd to get to Martha Custis/Valley Rd, and he will not allow it.

I will give him the parking lot alternatives you gave me. That would be cool, and it would erase one more excuse from my brother when the kids start begging for a ride.

Koffee

I second the Bon Air Park recommendation. They could then ride east. Very easy ride for the young ones.

On the 4th, late afternoon, Bon Air's lot was full. I had to park across Wilson at the tennis courts, and that was nearly full. Popular picnic area. Should be fine earlier on a weekend day or on a weekday. The toilets at Bon Air are a plus.

If they are driving and parking anyway, maybe they should go to Bellhaven and do the Mount Vernon Trail.

Why is he so worried about crossing West Glebe on the 4MR? It has a light and crosswalk, and it's the only busy road crossing until Shirlington. A 6 year old needs to learn how to cross a busy street safely. Sheltering them doesn't help them learn.

I know it. You know it, but he's totally overprotective when it comes to those kids. Weird. On the one hand, he wants them to learn how to fight for themselves and stand up for themselves, but then the next second, he won't let me take them out for a simple bike ride? Frustrating.

Koffee

He can always take them further west where he doesn't have to contend with any cross streets, just other users of the trail.

Downtown Vienna - Church street one block west of 123 has a parking lot next to the W&OD. They can go west from there for 3 or 4 miles with no cross streets.

Or, go to route 28 (Sterling) where there is a parking lot next to the trail specifically for trail users. They can travel west from there the whole way to Leesburg with only a few street crossings.

And for the best scenery, park in Leesburg and go west.

(Edit - I just noticed you were asking for Arlington access points. I rode the W&OD through Arlington Saturday morning [I didn't see you] and don't think I would take my kids there due to other trail users, not necessarily cars or cross streets. It was busy, and the streets might be safer. If he's going to load them in the car anyway, I'd recommend just heading west. Then they can make an ice cream stop on the way home :) )

Even though the Arlington end is more crowded, the crowds are slower and more kid friendly. The racers know this and mostly go to Vienna and points west where they can get their speed up.

The Arlington and Falls Church sections of the WOD and the Mount Vernon Trail are probably best for kids because of the crowds. Forces everyone to slow down. 4MR is also good because not as many people use it, including racers.

Agree about the scenery. Best part of the WOD is trans-Leesburg.

Just thought of another good trail for kids. Holmes Run near Landmark. The tree roots and pedestrian traffic keeps the speeders away (except for me ;) ) Part of the Alexandria Heritage Trail. Very pretty. Goes by a 300 year old tree that the kids might get a kick out of.
You can get to it from the neighborhood north of Duke Street or from the Van Dorn end of Holmes Run Parkway. Crosses under I395 to the far-West End and connects to the trail that runs along Eisenhower Ave.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm going to talk earnestly with my brother yet again and see if he'll agree to one of those routes!

Koffee

what's he trying to protect them FROM? I mean, if they can't make it, so what?

Dave

I dunno. For the first year they were born, he wouldn't even let anyone take the kids out for a walk in their strollers on the sidewalk. It's like he needs to be there just in case. Just in case... what?

Koffee