SATURDAY, 6/8: Friends of the W&OD Trail Annual Picnic

Please come and join the annual Friends of the W&OD Trail picnic on Saturday June 8th from 12 noon until 4 PM. The location of the picnic will be at the American Legion Post 130 at 400 N. Oak Street in Falls Church, VA 22046. The American Legion building is located adjacent to mile marker 6 ½ on the W&OD Trail. Items on the menu will include hot dogs, crab legs, coconut shrimp / shrimp cocktail, pulled pork BBQ, BBQ chicken, coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans, cookies, and assorted drinks including sodas, iced tea, lemonade, and bottled water. The picnic is also part of the annual meeting about the state of the W&OD Trail. It is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the trail and the Friends of the W&OD volunteer group.

The picnic will also serve as a celebration of the life of Walter L. Mess. Walter established the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NVRPA) and was a member of its Board for more than 45 years, passed away on Sunday, May 26th, 2013. During his more than 40+ years on the NVRPA Board, the agency preserved over 10,000 acres of land. While Walter loved the many water parks, golf courses, historic sites, campgrounds, marinas, and other facilities of NVRPA, he was most proud of the W&OD Trail. Through his efforts he helped to create the trail and is known as the “Father of the W&OD Trail.” The first section of the Trail was established in 1974 in his home town of Falls Church. Over the next 10 years the Trail expanded to its current 45-mile length.

There will be free “Walter L. Mess, Father of the W&OD” Tee-Shirts to the first 100 visitors to help celebrate Walter’s life.