Improving Creek Access

One goal set out in the Friends of Little Hunting Creek Articles of Incorporation is “promoting community access to the creek for recreation and respite." It has become clear during the pandemic how much people need the respite gained from time spent in nature, even just sitting on a bench looking out on the creek. Yet, there is very little neighborhood or public access to Little Hunting Creek.

We have begun to invest in creating better community access to the creek in adjoining neighborhoods.

In our first effort, we are partnering with the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust (NVCT) and the Stratford Landing Citizens’ Association to make a wetlands parcel owned by the NVCT more inviting and accessible to nearby residents, by improving and maintaining an informal trail, improving signage, and installing a couple of benches.

We want to do the same in other neighborhoods. The criteria for supporting any proposed improvement are:

• The neighborhood supports the proposal, and is willing to be a partner and contribute funds and/or organize volunteers’ time to achieve it.

• The property owner (such as the Park Authority, or other county department, or the NVCT, or a private owner) is a willing partner in the project.

• The proposal advances two goals:

• Improved access to the creek for recreation and respite. Only improvements with minimal environmental impact will be approved.

• Improved quality of wildlife habitat (for example, the removal of invasive plants, or installation of wood duck boxes or osprey platforms, or other improvements).