Since the establishment of the homeowners’ association in 1968, the Board has actively engaged Fairfax County and other government and non-government organizations to influence decisions that impact its homeowners. Examples include:
Wolf Trails Park
As part of the development plan in the late 1960’s, part of Hicks Farm was set aside for a community school. The parcel set aside was determined to be too small for a school and over time fell into disrepair. Board Members worked together with the Fairfax County Parks Authority to turn the area into a park. The Wolf Trails Park project took many years to complete and required our community association to persistently engage government departments and officials to keep the project from faltering. In fact, in 1977 the County had plans to reallocate the land to be a school bus storage lot or fire department storage facility. The attempt to reallocate the land was successfully halted by dedicated Trails at Wolftrap Homeowners’ Association board members and the community. On September 17, 1993, the Wolf Trails Park was dedicated and today includes two playgrounds, soccer field, tennis courts, and basketball court that serves as a center of activity for our local kids and parents.
Trap Road Pedestrian Foot Bridge over the Dulles Toll Road (Route 267)
Our association actively participates in the Northern Virginia (NoVi) Trails group. The NoVi Trails group was instrumental in the development of the Trap Road pedestrian bridge over the Dulles Toll Road. This trail connects the footpath on the south side of Toll Road to the footpath on the north end near the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts (Filene Center), thereby expanding and connecting a larger network of walking and biking paths that cross through Fairfax County. Additionally, it allows people in our community to walk safely along Trap Road over the Toll Road where previously pedestrians had to walk along the road on a very narrow concrete strip. The Trails at Wolftrap Homeowners’ Association is proud to work with local organizations to make positive impacts on our community.
Fairfax Connector Bus Route 432 with Service to the DC Metro Silver Line
In 2013, Trails at Wolftrap Homeowners’ Association engaged Fairfax County to support Option 4 of the Fairfax Connector bus services. The four DC Metro Silver Line stations have no parking and we are realistically out of walking range. Option 4 places all of our homes within a few blocks of the bus stops. As a community, we recognize that easier access to the DC Metro minimizes commuting times, reduces pollution, and potentially improves our home values.
Saving Tysons Last Forest
In 2012, the Trails at Wolftrap Homeowners’ Association joined 14 other homeowners associations in a neighborhood coalition to “Save Tysons Last Forest”. This effort prevented the development of Dulles Toll Road ramps through a 33-acre forest near Tysons Corner that is the last expanse of green space in the area. The Trails at Wolftrap Homeowners’ Association working with the coalition successfully convinced the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to take the option off the table for consideration thus saving Tysons last forest.
Beulah Road Walkway Project
As previously mentioned, our association actively participates in the NoVi Trails group. The NoVi Trails group has been actively pursuing the development of the Beulah Road Walkway Project designed in two segments to connect Vienna to both Meadowlark and to Wolf Trap National Park. The Pedestrian Bridge is the major link between 4 Corners (Old Courthouse, Beulah and Trap) and the Filene Center on the Wolf Trap Segment. The walkway uses the existing sidewalk along Trap and then the paved trail/bridge to Wolf Trap and Shouse Village. The walkway will also join existing sidewalks providing safe pedestrian access along Beulah Road between Meadowlark Botanical Gardens Regional Park (located at the northern limits near Chathams Ford Drive) and Antioch Christian Church (located at the southern limits near Abbotsford Drive). When this project is completed, residents of The Trails will be able to walk to Meadowlark Meadows, Wolf Trap Elementary school, W&OD Trail, and other nearby trails in addition to the Wolf Trap National Park (Filene Center and The Barns at Wolf Trap). Read more on the Fairfax County website.
Common Land
The developers ran the initial association required under its 1968 original covenants until there was a sufficient number of homes to support a homeowner-controlled homeowners association. The association run by the developers was responsible for the Common Land and complying with state and local requirements including paying property taxes. Apparently, the property taxes were not being paid. In 1974, Fairfax County threatened to foreclose on the Common Land for the unpaid taxes. The community homeowners quickly realized that if the County foreclosed, they would have little say about how the County used the land. The homeowners quickly formed what is now The Trails at Wolftrap Homeowners’ Association to carry out its legal responsibilities and to resolve the unpaid taxes. Then, as now, The Trails at Wolftrap Homeowners’ Association, Inc. owns the Common Lands and it is a prime responsibility.
Future
The Trails at Wolftrap Homeowners’ Association continues to build and strengthen our community by understanding current County, State and Federal laws, meeting our financial responsibilities, and upholding the highest level of professionalism in carrying out the association’s affairs in the best interest of the community. We remain focused on trying to live up to our motto:
Neighbors, Friends, and Community
Keeping the Trails a Wonderful Place to Live
Thanks to all who have and will help us keep The Trails at Wolftrap a great neighborhood.