May 2026 Newsletter

Annual Report

Our 2025 Annual Report is now available. We had a banner year with an increased number of volunteers and major trail improvements such as the installation of 7 new bike racks and new freeze-resistant water fountains that provide year round water on the trail.

Read more about our accomplishments in 2025 here and keep us improving the trail by becoming a monthly donor.

Help Protect GWMP's Natural Beauty – Become a Certified Weed Warrior!

Have you ever wanted to know more about invasive species in the Washington D.C. area? Do you ask yourself questions like, "Why is bush honeysuckle an invasive species?" or "How can you tell the difference between native grape and porcelainberry?"

Then we highly recommend you register to attend a 2-day Weed Warrior training (5 hours total) offered by the National Park Service. This virtual and in-person course covers the basics of invasion ecology, removal techniques, species identification, the theory behind the Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) framework, and field safety.

The required two-part training—featuring an online session and in-person training at GWMP (aka, George Washington Memorial Parkway)—will be held May 13 and May 16. Register here.

Gravelly Point Detour Coming in May

The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority will be installing a trail detour at Gravelly Point as part of the Long Bridge Construction project. The project will construct a new bridge over the Potomac to expand passenger and freight service. The project also will build a new bike and pedestrian bridge connected to the Mount Vernon Trail and Long Bridge Aquatics Center.

The detour is expected to go into effect around May 22nd and will last until bridge construction is complete in 2030. The construction contractor will utilize flaggers during brief moments when construction materials are being moved into the work zone. Keep up to date on trail impacts during the project by following us on social media.

Bike to Work Day

Stop by and say "hi" at our Bike to Work Day table in Rosslyn on Friday May 15th from 7am-9am. Whether you’re a first-time rider or a seasoned bike commuter, Bike to Work Day is a great way to experience the fun of bicycling. We will be there handing out FoMVT stickers and answering questions about the trail.

Register in advance so you can be sure to get your Bike to Work Day shirt...they are purple this year! Register here: www.biketoworkmetrodc.org

Power Plant Redevelopment Community Meeting

On Monday, May 4, 2026, HRP Group (HRP) will host a community meeting regarding the transformation of the former power plant in Old Town North. The redevelopment will include improvements to the Mount Vernon Trail. The virtual meeting will focus on the Development Special Use Permit (DSUP) submissions for Blocks B & C, the Waterfront Open Space, the Rail Corridor Open Space, and an update on project status and timeline. Register here.

April Recap

In April, we hosted 7 volunteer events with 245 volunteers giving 542 volunteer hours. Highlights included our annual Tulip Walk/Bike Ride, cyanotype art making at MadeinALX, tabling at the ALX Dog Walk, and our iNaturalist bioblitz. We also hosted EY for their Spring Day of Service.

Photo of the Month

For Earth Day and Celebrate Trails Day, we had 103 volunteers remove 141 bags of trash totalling 1,078 pounds. Not bad for just 2 hours of volunteering!

You can check out more before/after photos here and donate to help us keep tools in the hands of volunteers.