Background

Construction is underway for several trail improvements at Royal Lake located at 5216 Pommeroy Drive in the Braddock District. Weather permitting, work will be complete by the fall of 2026.

The Fairfax County Park Authority has been worked closely with the Royal Lake community to develop the project scope and acquire the necessary funding to initiate five trail improvement projects surrounding Royal Lake. The list of funded improvements projects includes the following:

• Royal Lake Bridge Replacement – Replace the existing pedestrian bridge over Rabbit Branch on the north side of Royal Lake.
• Royal Lake to Commonwealth Boulevard Trail – Construct a new stream valley trail starting at an existing asphalt trail north of Lakeside Park and connecting to Commonwealth Boulevard.
• Richardson Court to Lakeside Park – Repave the park entrance trail from Richardson Court to the soccer/baseball fields in Lakeside Park.
• Royal Lake Dam to Lakepointe Drive – Pave the natural surface trail that connects the asphalt trail on the top of the dam down to the Royal Lake Loop Trail.
• Shade Structure at Lakeside Park – Install a fabric shade structure and new picnic equipment at the existing picnic area near the playground (funded separately).

Funding for these projects is being provided from a variety of different sources, including the 2020 Park Bond, proffered funds and the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds program (authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act and administered by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation). The cumulative estimated project cost is approximately $1.3 million.