Emerald Ribbons

In response to strong public input and a shortage of parks and trails in Loudoun County, a project group of Coalition members proposes Emerald Ribbons, a countywide interconnected system of linear parks and trails.  Such a widely accessible network, built along streams and other natural corridors, can create an asset of enormous benefit to Loudoun County, raising property values, improving health and quality of life, attracting business investment and providing protection for natural areas and drinking water sources.

The proposed countywide system would link east and west, north and south through a trails network that would allow residents and visitors to enjoy Loudoun’s natural beauty.

For a link to the Emerald Ribbons presentation currently being given to various organizations and officials in Loudoun County, click here. For  a high-resolution (25-megabyte) map providing more details of the concept, click here. For more detailed background information and links to more sources of information about Emerald Ribbons, read the group’s white paper on the initiative, click here. For answers to frequently asked questions, click here. 

The January 17, 2019, Loudoun Now includes an editorial on the effort.

Progress to date

The Emerald Ribbons concept has been presented to numerous organizations and officials in Loudoun County and has been well received. The project is included in the new draft Comprehensive Plan and on January 17, 2019, the Board of Supervisors voted to direct the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Board to develop a detailed Emerald Ribbons plan and to conduct public outreach to define the details of the park and trails system. The board is to report back to the BOS in June. 

Here is the complete text of the Board Member Initiative on Emerald Ribbons.