New trail wayfinding and entrance signs were officially unveiled at Lake Accotink Park on Saturday, Sept. 26, coinciding with National Public Lands Day.
"I'm honored to have spent this morning with Fairfax County Parks and Congressman James Walkinshaw to unveil new signage along the Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail, honoring Gerry's extraordinary legacy here in Fairfax County," Mason District Supervisor Andres Jimenez posted following the event. "Former Congressman Connolly's impact is woven into the fabric of our county. His story will live on for every neighbor who walks, runs, or bikes this fantastic trail!"
Connolly played a pivotal role in establishing the 41.5-mile parkland connector during his tenure as chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, a role he held from December 2003 through January 2009.
Members of Connolly's family, including his widow, Katherine “Smitty” Connolly, and his daughter, Caitlin Connolly, attended the event and spoke alongside U.S. Rep. James Walkinshaw, members of the Board of Supervisors, and Fairfax County Park Authority leaders.
The new signage project was a joint effort between Walkinshaw, the Park Authority, and the Connolly family to make the 41.5-mile trail easier for the public to navigate while preserving and honoring Connolly's local legacy.