Winchester Green Circle

Trail Summary

Although not part of the original conceptual plan, this section is the first mile of the Green Circle trail.  In 2003 the city accepted donation of three contiguous parcels totaling 24.52 acres from the developers of Meadowbranch and Morlyn Hills subdivisions.  The developers also constructed a walking-bicycling path in the uplands above Power Line Marsh and across the southern side of Meadow Branch Marsh.  An elevated walkway was constructed to lessen the impact on a particularly sensitive section of the wetlands, and Trex Inc. provided decking.  In addition, Melco Inc. (developers of the Abrams Crossing Shopping Center) built a pathway along the southern side of Jubal Early Drive extending from Meadow Branch Marsh to Harvest Drive.  All three segments of this pathway were proffered as part of the developers’ respective site plans.

This section of the trail is one mile long.  The Abrams Creek Wetlands Preserve (ACWP) is a permanently protected 25-acre wetland and natural area.  Although bisected by railroad tracks and surrounded by homes and other development, the wetlands support a remarkable diversity of plant and animal life that has attracted considerable attention from biologists.  The trail begins at the intersection of Harvest Drive and Jubal Early Drive.  It follows Jubal Early Drive west to Handley Avenue.  This marks the beginning of the paved 8-foot-wide multi-use trail section through the wetlands preserve, terminating at the Stone House Court cul-de-sac in the Morlyn Hills subdivision.  From Harvest Drive to Handley Avenue, the south side of Jubal Early Drive has a 5-foot-wide sidewalk. The same section of roadway, although not designated as a bike route or as a “share the road” route, is suitable for shared use with A- and B-level cyclists.