Round Hill Appalachian Trail Application · 9/1/2018 · Round Hill, Virginia September 2018 1....

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ROUND HILL APPALACHIAN TRAIL APPLICATION | 2018

Town of Round Hill Virginia

Appalachian Trail Community Application

September 1, 2018

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Appalachian Trail Community Application

Round Hill, Virginia

September 2018

1. Advisory Committee (See Appendix 1 & 2)

Our Committee was called HANDS in the beginning but is now called Round Hill

Outdoors.

It was called HANDS because it stood for our mission statement:

• Healthy Living

• Active Recreation

• Nature Education

• Development of Parks & Trails

• Support for the Appalachian Trail

Objectives:

• Foster an appreciation of natural resources & stewardship

• Encourage positive recreational behaviors

• Manage economic benefits & costs

• Protect natural resources while providing recreational opportunities

• Increase awareness of the Appalachian Trail

Committee Structure 2018 (See Attached Documents)

a. Chair of Committee (Liaison to Community Partners): Kathi Hottinger

b. Vice-Chair of Committee (Social Media): Sean Lloyd

c. Environmental Stewardship: Jody Brady

d. Arts & Culture: Debbie Deutsch & Susan Stowe

e. Hiking & Camping Education: Carol Dennis

f. Scout Liaison: Amanda Young

The Committee has met at least once a month for a year to prepare to submit this application. In the future, the plan is to meet at least six times a year. There is a group of about 25 people who have attended some of the meetings, (not all) and do not serve in a leadership role but have committed to participation as needed for events.

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The Committee maintains a Website, Facebook page and a Meet-Up group. The website is www.roundhill.at (we were able to purchase a domain with .at instead of ,com). The Town of Round Hill Town Council has kept a budget line reserved for this Committee of about $500 a year for projects.

2. Annual Project or Celebration (See Appendix 17 and the Attachment #3)

The Appalachian Trail Art Show will be an annual event held by the Town of Round Hill

in partnership with the Round Hill Arts Center

• The First Annual Appalachian Trail Art Show was held in February 2018, with a

reception on February 11, 2018, featuring a “thru-hiker” as the guest speaker. The 2nd

Annual Appalachian Trail Art Show is planned for March 2019, with a reception on

March 3, 2019. The Round Hill Arts Center has also planned to do two art classes with

AT themes in 2019. The local elementary schools will be incorporating the AT Art Show

as a class assignment.

3. A.T. Educational or Service Learning Projects

(See Appendix 6 to 13 & 16, Attachment 1 & 2)

a. Hometown Festival Booth (May 26, 2018): Each year, the town of Round Hill and local

organizations celebrate our community with an annual festival featuring a parade,

performances and displays. This year, the town featured the Appalachian Trail in its booth

and plans to continue to use this venue in the future to highlight the “Appalachian Trail in

our Backyard.” The display for this booth remains at the Town Hall for visitors to see all

year.

b. Leave No Trace Presentation (August 21, 2018): Partnering with PATC, the town hosted the

first of a series of educational talks about A.T. stewardship. Our next talk (in the works) will

offer Leave No Trace training to Scout troops.

c. Community Hikes: The committee will lead at least three community hikes each year

between April and September. Our goal is to encourage appreciation and stewardship of the

A.T. and other trails. (See attached documents for list of 2018 hikes).

d. Future Goals: To schedule a “field trip” to Harpers Ferry to visit ATC Headquarters during

the busy season of the thru-hikers reaching the “half-way” point; to meet them and talk to

them. To offer support, including shuttle service, to Bear’s Den and the Blackburn Trail

Center during this same peak season.

http://www.roundhill.at/

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4. Language for the protection of the A.T. in Comprehensive Plan and in Strategic

Park/Recreation Plans (See Appendix 14 & 15)

• Section 1 of Part 2 of Natural Resources, Town Comprehensive Plan: “It is a goal

of the Town to maintain its natural resources, scenic vistas, and wildlife habitats

for future generations…The Town wants to find creative ways to permit limited

growth in the future, while maintaining a sustainable balance with its surrounding

environment…”

• Goal 1 for Natural Resources, Town Comprehensive Plan: “Require careful site

planning and design in land development and applications to maintain a high

degree of quality in the protection, enhancement, and management of the natural

environment and natural resources.”

• Goal 3 for Natural Resources, Town Comprehensive Plan: “Promote

environmental stewardship as a mechanism to increase community viability,

economic health, and a sense of place.”

• “Objective: Increase connections between Round Hill and the Appalachian Trail

to promote community awareness and increase knowledge of the trail as a local

asset.”

a. Data from 2015 Town Economic Development Survey: The most popular hobby

listed by residents in the Greater Round Hill Area is hiking (12% of residents) The

second most popular hobby listed by residents in the Greater Round Hill Area is

spending time outdoors enjoying nature (10% of residents). 46% of residents in the

Greater Round Hill Area identify Round Hill as the “Gateway to the Blue Ridge

Mountains.”

b. Data from 2017 Town Parks & Recreation Survey: 71% of the Greater Round Hill

Area would like to see more nature programs or environmental education programs

in Round Hill. 82% of the Greater Round Hill Area would like to see more natural

areas and wildlife habitats.

c. Development of three new town parks: Each new park will include outdoor

classroom space, where programming will include talks about environmental

stewardship.

5. Describe why your town should be selected as an Appalachian Trail Community.

What can this program do for your community? What can your town do for the

Appalachian Trail?

What can our town do for the AT?

The Town of Round Hill Appalachian Trail Community Program is already working to

raise awareness of the proximity of the A.T., to develop the next generation of A.T.

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hikers and to use the A.T. as a symbol of environmental stewardship (wildlife

protection, leave no trace, native plants and protection of viewsheds).

We support the work of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) achieve the goals

and objectives outlined in their Strategic Plan. Specifically, the Town of Round Hill

would like to help with the following objectives:

a. Establish an outreach and education program in conjunction with the PATC that

increases visibility to new communities of potential users, the media and new and

future members of the PATC.

b. Increase involvement with A.T. designated communities to publicize and coordinate

both their and PATC's activities and to enhance mutual participation in those

activities.

c. Form a roundtable of the neighboring AT Communities which will meet on an

annual basis to network and find common ground to work together in supporting the

PATC.

d. Study and consider creating a new Chapter of the PATC that partners with the

Berryville AT Community.

What can the AT do for the Town?

The promotion of the Appalachian Trail will be the launchpad to encourage residents to live

healthy active lives. The Appalachian Trail Community designation will help brand the town

with a unique identity for Loudoun County. The Trails to Teaching Program will be an

amazing gift to Round Hill Elementary School.

Round Hill wants to preserve its small-town charm and its wealth of recreational

opportunities, including natural, local attractions ranging from wildlife to native plant species

to ecosystems including wetlands, forests, a lake and meadows. Becoming an A.T.

Community shows the region that the Round Hill wants to continue to protect its beautiful

environment.

6. See application

7. See application

8. See application

9. Please describe your partnerships with public land agencies and with volunteers (see

letters for details):

a. Western Loudoun County Sheriff – “Keeping Kids Off the Street”

b. Round Hill Fire Department – “Protecting the AT and Keeping Hikers Safe”

c. Round Hill Elementary School – “Screen Free Week”

d. Daisy Troop 70137 – ‘Educational Outreach’

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e. Cub Scout Pack 961 – “Educational Outreach”

f. Round Hill Arts Center – “Annual Art Show”

g. Woodgrove High School – “Outdoor Class for Teenagers”

h. Loudoun County Board of Supervisors – “Policy & Support for Programs”

i. Town of Round Hill Mayor & Town Council – “Funding & Support for Programs”

j. Round Hill Women’s Club – “Protect Round Hill Quality of Life”

k. Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy – “Teaching Environmental Stewardship”

l. Potomac Appalachian Trail Club – “Increase PATC Membership & Support PATC”

10. What cultural and/or historical information is available about your community?

Situated at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Round Hill is one of seven

incorporated towns in the county. It was developed in the mid-19th century as a postal

stop at the junction of the Leesburg-Snicker's Gap Turnpike (Virginia Business Route 7)

and the road that ran north to Woodgrove (Route 719). It was not until the beginning of

the last quarter of the 19th century, however, with the construction of the Washington and

Old Dominion (W&OD) Railroad, that the town grew and developed as a commercial and

residential area that catered both to full-time residents and summer vacationers

from Washington, D.C.

As early as the 1850 federal census, Round Hill was sufficiently important in that portion

of the county to be identified by name as a community in the ten-year enumeration. With

its location on the Snickersville Pike, Round Hill supplanted Woodgrove only one mile to

the north, thriving as both a commercial center for the rural area between Leesburg and

Snickers Gap and later as a vacation destination for those seeking to escape Washington

in the summer months. As an indication of its growing importance along the turnpike, the

residents of the area successfully petitioned for a post office in 1857 to be known as Round

Hill, likely named for a local home and a small rounded hill located nearby.

The village began its significant ascent as an important transportation stop with the

extension of the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad from Hamilton to Round Hill in

1874. Round Hill was the western terminus of the rail line for twenty-five years, only

relinquishing that position in 1900 when the rails were extended to Bluemont four miles

farther west at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Stylish Victorian-era boarding houses, a broad range of vernacular and high-style

dwellings, a small collection of African-American residences, a railroad station and

freight depot, four mercantile operations, two manufacturing facilities, several agricultural

buildings, and four churches combine to illustrate the whole range of Round Hill's history.

SOURCE: Maral S. Kalbian, Architectural Historian and Margaret T. Peters, Historian, Maral S. Kalbian LLC, Round Hill Historic District, Loudoun County, VA, nomination document, 2008, National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places, Washington, D.C.

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11. What recreation opportunities, major ongoing festivals, and events does your

community offer?

a. Annual Hometown Festival: Memorial Day Weekend

b. Annual Western Loudoun Art Studio Tour: June

c. Loudoun County Farm Tour: Spring and Fall

d. Great Country Farms: Permanent recreational play structures for children, and ten

annual festivals for each harvest season such as peaches, pumpkins, apples, etc.

e. Dirt Farm Brewing: Annual music festivals, holiday festivals and a brewery

tasting room.

f. B-Chord Brewery: Music, beer and food; local music every week

g. Round Hill Indoor Aquatic Center: Pool and showers

h. Woodgrove Park: 30 acres of active sports fields and a multipurpose trail.

i. Niels Poulsen Park: Features a playground for children 6 months to 12 years old

and a fitness trail with 8 adult fitness stations.

j. Sleeter Lake Park: Features hand-launch for kayaks and canoes and shoreline

fishing.

k. Franklin Park Trail: Features a 1.5-mile-long bike and pedestrian trail connecting

Round Hill to Franklin Park (opening Spring 2019)

l. Round Hill Pedestrian Greenway: A long-term project to create a three-mile-

long pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly path connecting Round Hill neighborhoods.

m. Stoneleigh Golf Course: Private 18-hole golf course on 200 acres in Round Hill

n. Appalachian Trail: There are several trailheads or access points to the

Appalachian Trail along the border of Round Hill, including Snickers Gap, Raven

Rocks, Blackburn Center and Bear’s Den.

12. See Application

13. See Attached Hiker Guide - Appendix 3

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14. Locations and state of the access points of the A.T. (See Appendix 4 & 5)

a. Bears Den: At the intersection of Route 7 West and Route 601 take a left, cars can park

either at the bottom of the mountain and follow the A.T. to Bear’s Den Overlook or park at

the top lot and follow a short trail to the overlook. Hikers use this section of trail as an easy

day hike or a starting off point for a multi-day hike south on the AT.

b. Blackburn Trail Center: Located 15 minutes from the Town of Round Hill on

Appalachian Trail Road, this is another popular access point for day- and section-hikers, as

well as a stopping point for through hikers.

c. Keys Gap/Buzzard Rocks: This is one of the lesser utilized sections of the Appalachian

Trail as it passes through Loudoun County Virginia. With the better-known Raven

Rocks to the south, and Loudoun Heights to the north, the Keys Gap/Buzzard Rocks hike is

a nice alternative to the crowds. Buzzard Rocks has good views to the south with the

Massanutten Mountains in the distance, as well as views when the leaves are off the trees

of the Shenandoah River.

d. State of access points and what improvements are needed:

i. Keys Gap is located on a dangerous part of a busy road. It is difficult for hikers to walk

along the road to get to the convenience store or to cross the road to continue on the

Appalachian Trail. The Town of Round Hill is reaching out for support from VDOT to

make improvements along this stretch of road or at least to post better signage.

ii. Appalachian Trail Road that takes people to Blackburn Center is in poor condition. The

Town of Round Hill plans to coordinate with PATC to investigate possible remediation

efforts.

iii. Snickers Gap is located on a dangerous part of a busy road. As stated by one hiker: “We

stepped out of the woods onto busy Route 7. Cars were flying by at 55-65 mph. We had

to cross the road and then walk up the shoulder of the road until reaching the trail

again. When your legs are fatigued, it’s hard to run fast across a four-lane highway. It was

like Frogger with backpacks!” The Town of Round Hill is investigating potential

mitigations for this situation.

14. ATC frequently hosts workshops and conferences. Please list facilities in your

community that can host a group of 40 people or more. Also include information about

any community centers.

a. Old Round Hill School

b. Round Hill Elementary School

c. Town Hall

d. Round Hill Firehouse

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e. Woodgrove High School

f. Mountain View Elementary

g. Franklin Park (Theater)

h. B-Chord Brewery

i. Great Country Farms

j. Dirt Farm Brewing

See Attached for More Information

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APPENDIX 1

Round Hill Outdoors Committee Structure

This Committee has a Chair and a Vice-Chair to ensure that the committee has regular scheduled

meetings at least 6 times a year. Both positions should feel comfortable speaking on the mission of

the committee and be able to keep the group unified in the absence of Town Staff.

• Chair will speak to the Town Council and the County Board of Supervisors as needed to keep

the Appalachian Trail in the minds of planning and policy makers.

• Vice-Chair will take the lead on ideas for raising money or finding sponsors for events &

projects. Vice-Chair is important to serve as the Chair as needed.

• Chair and Vice-Chair should be able to write press releases, social media updates and

respond to inquiries from news outlets or outside organizations.

There will be a volunteer assigned to each of the following roles. Some roles will be divided into

two roles someday or could overlap, or could have “team support” – it is important that at least one

person keeps the idea alive:

Next Generation of Appalachian Trail Hikers - encouraging families to go outdoors, enjoy nature,

live healthy and less screen time

➔ Take lead on Screen Free Week Campaign & Family Nature Club

Appalachian Trail Education - Organizing educational opportunities, community hikes and guest

speakers

➔ Take lead on organizing 6 community hikes, town walks or nature walks a year (other

people can host, but someone needs to be sure to keep track and encourage) and to

organize at least one guest speaker a year.

Appalachian Trail Art & Image – keeping the AT image and brand in front of the community

➔ Take lead on organizing the annual art show (about 4 to 6-month project)

Leave No Trace – promoting environmental stewardship and teaching residents about local wildlife,

native species, local trees, rain gardens, etc.

➔ Take lead on Arbor Day and Earth Day; and organize at least one guest speaker a year

OVERALL MISSION: The umbrella over projects is to encourage the next generation of AT

Hikers. To get children excited and motivated to go outside. To love nature. To find their niche

(birds, gardens, hikes, exploration, stewardship, etc.)

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APPENDIX 2

Round Hill Outdoors

Appalachian Trail Committee

July 1, 2018 to September 1, 2018

New & Successful Projects

1) Annual Appalachian Trail Art Show

2) Community Hikes

3) Screen Free Week

4) Earth Day

5) Arbor Day

6) Leave No Trace Workshop

7) Brochure Displays

8) Hometown Festival Booth

9) Hiker Box

10) Round Hill Outdoors Website

11) Round Hill Outdoors Meet-Up Group and Facebook Group

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APPENDIX 3

Round Hill

Appalachian Trail Hiker’s Guide

Welcome, Hikers!

The Town of Round Hill Appalachian Trail Committee (Round Hill Outdoors) wants to help make your

Appalachian Trail hike safe and enjoyable. Our town sits between two trail centers, Bears Den to the south

and Blackburn Center to the north.

POST OFFICE

• Round Hill Post Office

(703) 777-2 Main St, Round Hill

Mon-Fri 10am - 1:00pm, 2pm - 5pm

Sat 8:30am - 12pm

ATMs

• Hill High Marketplace

35246 Harry Byrd Highway, Round Hill

(540) 338-9340 Round Hill

• Mini Mart

8 Main St., Round Hill

Open 7 am to 9 pm daily (540) 338-2428

FREE INTERNET ACCESS / PHONE CHARGING

• Purcellville Public Library

220 E Main St, Purcellville

(540) 338-7235

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TRANSPORTATION

• United Cab

(703) 777-7999

• Purcellville Connector

877-777-2708

www.vatransit.org/routes

Monday-Friday, bus service from Purcellville to Leesburg

MARKETS

• Round Hill Grocery Market & Prepared Foods

19 Main Street, Round Hill 540.441.7474

• Round Hill Mini Mart

8 Main St., Round Hill

Open 7 am to 9 pm daily

(540) 338-2428

• Hill High Marketplace

35246 Harry Byrd Highway, Round Hill

(540) 338-9340

LODGING

• Bears' Den

18393 Blue Ridge Mountain Rd, Bluemont

(540) 554-8708

DETAILS: Two single-sex dorms feature bunk beds and shared bathrooms. A private room has en

suite facilities. Plus, a cottage and campground.

• Blackburn Trail Center

34899 Appalachian Trail Rd, Round Hill

(540) 338-9028

DETAILS: May serve dinner depending on the day. Bunks in a log cabin, tenting on lawn.

http://www.vatransit.org/routes

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DINING/CARRYOUT

• Tammy's Diner

2 E Loudoun St, Round Hill

(540) 338-0080

Breakfast and lunch; cash only

• Round Hill Grocery

19 Main Street, Round Hill

(540) 441 - 7474

Sandwiches, ice cream

• The Village Market

445 Pine Grove Rd, Bluemont

(540) 955-8742

Delivers pizza and groceries to Blackburn Center

BREWERIES/WINERIES

• B Chord Brewing

34266 Williams Gap Rd, Round Hill (571) 474-9191

• Dirt Farm Brewing

18701 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont

(540) 554-2337

• Bluemont Vineyard

18755 Foggy Bottom Rd, Bluemont

(540) 554-8439

• Twin Oaks Winery

18035 Raven Rocks Rd, Bluemont

540-554-4547

• Bear's Chase


(571) 267-2327

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CLOTHING AND LAUNDROMAT

• Bear's Den

Laundry Facilities

18393 Blue Ridge Mountain Rd

Bluemont, VA

(540) 554-8708

• Blue Ridge Hospice Thrift Shop

151 W Main Street, Purcellville, VA

540-751-1680

• Re-love It Consignment Shoppe

138 N 21st Street, Purcellville, VA

540-751-0707

SHOWERS

• Round Hill Aquatic Center

17010 Evening Star Dr, Round Hill

(571) 258-3562

Monday-Saturday

• Bear's Den


(540) 554-8708

• Blackburn Center

34899 Appalachian Trail Rd, Round Hill

(540) 338-9028

PHARMACIES

• Walgreens


(540) 751-0962

• Rite Aid


(540) 338-4195

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AREA MEDICAL SERVICES

• Inova Urgent Care Center


(540) 338-4995

• Virginia Medical Center

200 N Maple Ave, Purcellville

(540) 338-0032

VETERINARIAN SERVICES

• Vet Wagon

35284 Williams Gap Rd, Round Hill

(202) 999-9397

• House Paws Animal Hospital

6 E Loudoun Street, Round Hill

540-751-3281

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APPENDIX 4

The purple line represents the Round Hill Zip Code (20141). The green line represents the Appalachian

Trail. About 6,000 people live in the Round Hill Zip Code (Round Hill Address). About 600 live in the

corporate limits of Round Hill. This map shows that 4 miles of the Appalachian Trail borders Round Hill.

The Town Hall of Round Hill is about 5 miles (driving) from Bears Den and Blackburn Center.

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APPENDIX 5

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APPENDIX 6

This is the Meet-Up Group the Round Hill Outdoors Committee started in 2018. It has 144 members. We

use it to post upcoming Community Hikes or other events like a “Leave No Trace” Workshop.

https://www.meetup.com/Round-Hill-Outdoors/

https://www.meetup.com/Round-Hill-Outdoors/

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APPENDIX 7

Future Ideas & Projects to Support the Appalachian Trail

1. Annual Tradition to make 100 Sprit Bags a Year:

a. To deliver to a Trail Center

b. Could be Sponsored by Local Businesses

2. Continue to have Information Booth at Hometown Festival

3. Guest Speaker Series (Invite the Children to Meet AT Hikers and Learn About

the AT)

4. Reading to Younger Children books about the outdoors, camping and hiking

5. Round Hill AT Challenge

a. Visit the AT the Summer and Share your Story/Photo with the

Committee

6. Make the Directional Signage for Town Hall

7. Branding Materials (Shirts, Car Decals or Ornaments)

8. Advertisement about Round Hill’s Proximity to AT in the local newspaper

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APPENDIX 8

The Center for a Screen Free Childhood shared our story on their Facebook Page.

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APPENDIX 9

The local news station covered our Screen Free Week Campaign which concluded with a Community Hike.

This is a tri-state news station that is covered as far as Hagerstown, MD almost 2 hours away.

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APPENDIX 10

This the website that Round Hill Outdoors created in 2018. It has become the showcase for the mission and

goals of Round Hill as an Appalachian Trail Community. Our Vice-Chair Sean Lloyd was able to purchase for

the Town the domain name www.roundhill.at with .at instead of .com (at is for Australia typically but for

our purposes – it puts AT next to Round Hill!)

http://www.roundhill.at/

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APPENDIX 11

ROUND HILL HIKER BOX

Press Release

July 2018

Do you know these Appalachian Trail Terms?

• HIKER BOX: a physical box where hikers may leave or take items. They are typically

found in towns near long-distance trails in a convenient, public area. Hiker boxes most often

contain food, small gear and resupply items.

• THRU-HIKER: one who hikes the Appalachian Trail end-to-end within one hiking season.

• SECTION HIKER: one who hikes the Appalachian Trail but completes it over a period of

years.

• 2,000 MILER: one who hikes the entire estimated 2,190 miles of the Appalachian Trail in

one trip. Each year, thousands of hikers attempt a thru-hike; only about one in four make it

all of the way.

• HIKER HOSTEL: a stop along the Appalachian Trail which provides food, shelter, showers

and beds for weary thru-hikers and section hikers. AT hostels are a crucial part of the AT

community. Round Hill is within 5 miles of two hiker hostels: Bears Den and the Blackburn

Center

Most thru-hikers start their trips in March or April at Springer Mountain in Georgia and finish at

Katahdin in Maine in September. {Round Hill is about 100 miles from the halfway point located in

Pennsylvania}. One of the hardest challenges for a AT thru hiker is weight – you must carry

everything you need to survive for months on your back! The Round Hill Outdoors Committee wants

to support the thru-hikers passing by Round Hill by keeping a Hiker Box at the Town Office to

collect Hiker Resupply Donations to bring to the local Round Hill Area AT hostels. If you would

like to donate you can drop off such items as toilet paper, bandages, sunscreen, dried foods, instant

oatmeal, nuts, tuna in foil packets, plastic bags, and socks. Please bring your donations any time in

July/August/September. Once a week, items will be delivered to local AT hostels.

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APPENDIX 12

Round Hill Outdoors - Logo Contest

Rules and Submission Requirements

The Town of Round Hill Committee called “Round Hill Outdoors” is conducting a logo contest. This is a new

committee with the goal to promote the following in Round Hill:

• Healthy Living

• Active Recreation

• Nature Education

• Discovering Parks & Trails

• Support the Appalachian Trail

“Round Hill Outdoors” is preparing to submit an application this September to the Mid-Atlantic Regional

Partnership Committee of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) to designate Round Hill as an official

“Appalachian Trail Community.” We will present to the ATC how Round Hill is an active living community

that teaches our local youth to act as good environmental stewards, to enjoy playing outside and to strive

for a healthy lifestyle. And - children who appreciate nature and being active - will love hiking. The

Committee’s overall vision is that Round Hill is raising the next generation of Appalachian Trail Hikers.

We are looking for 3 to 4 logos to use this year for “Round Hill Outdoors” stationary, events, and social

media; as well as part of our “Appalachian Trail Community” Application. One of the logos might also be

used for the Town of Round Hill marketing & tourism purposes too!

Choose one of the following themes for your logo:

1. Round Hill Outdoors – This logo/image should represent the goals of the Committee, specifically

“environmental stewardship/nature education” & “active recreation”

2. Round Hill & the Appalachian Trail – This logo/image should represent hiking and the Blue Ridge

Mountains, specifically “support for the Appalachian Trail”

3. Round Hill Unplugged – This logo/image should represent less screen time, and more outside time!

(Ideas include promoting a healthy lifestyle, family time and enjoying the outdoors)

4. Children’s Contest - Children 13 years old and under are welcome to create an image/drawing on

an 8.5” by 11” paper that has the words “Future AT Hiker” included.

The contest is open to any individual, including but not limited to, Round Hill residents. Entries will be judged

by “Round Hill Outdoors.” The Committee will select top entries and any winning themes/ideas that may be

used as the official logos, images or designs of “Round Hill Outdoors.”

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APPENDIX 13

This is a clip from the National Screen Free Week Website (NSFW)

The Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood (who manages the NSFW) heard about our Screen Free

Week efforts and contacted Round Hill to congratulate our work. They notified us that we would be

featured on their Facebook Page.

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APPENDIX 14

Chapter 7 from the 2017 Round Hill Comprehensive Plan

Economic Development

Section 11: Appalachian Trail

Round Hill can benefit from its close proximity to the Appalachian Trail. The town is perfectly located

between two Appalachian Trail visitor centers. Bears Den is located five miles to the west and the

Blackburn Center is located five miles to the north. If a visitor wanted to visit both places on the

same day, they would have to drive through Round Hill’s Central Commercial District. Bears Den

provides a gateway connecting people to the infamous "rollercoaster" section of the Appalachian

Trail. Bears Den Lodge and Hostel is located in a historic stone mansion, on 66 acres of land, 150

yards from the Appalachian Trail. At 1,350 feet, the Bears Den Rocks provide a panoramic view of

the Shenandoah Valley and the Blue Ridge Mountains. The westward-looking view provides a prime

spot for the sunset. In 2014, about 1,900 people visited Bears Den.

The Blackburn Center is primarily designed to support: long distance hikers, trail crews, Potomac

Appalachian Trail Club planning meetings, and training seminars. It is also used as a venue for special

events such as weddings. Located on 150-acres of land and backing up to the Appalachian Trail, the

Blackburn Center can accommodate up to 80 plus people for a day event and has indoor lodging

space for 30 people with at least 30 more using tent spaces and the adjoining campground. In 2014,

about 1,000 people visited the Blackburn Center. Visitors include: day hikers, thru hikers, section

hikers, boy scouts, girl scouts, and private groups. Round Hill should consider the Appalachian Trail

as one of its most unique assets that could be incorporated into future planning efforts as an

excellent opportunity to boost the local economy.

Section 10: Tourism

Tourism and economic development are good partners by the very definition of economic

development (a new activity that generates income from outside sources for a community). Many

of the opportunities and challenges outlined in this chapter relate to tourism.

The 2014 Community Survey offered a glimpse into the goods, services, and experiences that Round

Hill residents consume. There are no major employment centers in Round Hill, which means

residents spend their week traveling out of the Greater Round Hill Area to go to work. That means

on the weekends they want to enjoy some free time close to home. There a very few options for

recreation and entertainment within town limits, so many residents go outside of town to

neighboring towns or neighboring attractions on the weekends. Popular towns include: Purcellville,

Middleburg, Winchester and Harper’s Ferry. Residents visit include areas that feature such

attractions as parks, wooded areas, trails, or bodies of water. The same local attractions that

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residents enjoy visiting on the weekends also can make up the basis of a strong Greater Round Hill

Area tourism industry, with Round Hill as the center.

The 2014 Round Hill Community Survey found that some Round Hill residents are satisfied with

driving to Purcellville and beyond for recreation, goods and services, while other residents would

like to see an increase in recreation, goods and service providers in town. Round Hill businesses

could be in walking distance of their homes, or a short drive/bike ride from their homes, and could

become community gathering places, sources of employment, or recreational outlets for residents

of all ages. The challenge is building an environment that attracts quality businesses. When national

businesses look at Round Hill as a potential location, they only look at the local residential population

and overlook the statistics of the local tourism industry. Tourism can add to the target market area

population of people who can patron future Round Hill businesses. Not only is Round Hill

strategically located near a variety of tourist attractions, the Town itself has the ability to become a

tourist attraction because of its historic charm and character.

Round Hill has a rich historic past built around the former Washington and Old Dominion Railroad.

Over a hundred years ago, residents of the Washington Metro Area would travel by train to vacation

in Round Hill to escape city life. This required a local tourism industry that depended on large houses

that could provide lodging for tourists. Round Hill could recreate that history by promoting itself as

a weekend getaway town that offers scenic views of the mountains, local bike trails, canoe trips

around Sleeter Lake, and walking tours past historic houses. The Town could support tourism on a

smaller scale. This would not require sacrificing the quality of life for residents, but instead could

add to the quality of life for residents. The following are examples of possible local assets, amenities

and marketing brands that could attract tourists to Round Hill, while remaining benefits to local

residents:

Outdoors & Nature Tourism

• Sleeter Lake

• Virginia Birdwatching & Wildlife Trail

• Appalachian Trail Community

• Outdoors & Nature Education

• Shenandoah River

• Equestrian Trails

Weekend Getaway Tourism

• Local Vineyards & Breweries

• Bed & Breakfasts

• Art Studio Tours

• Historic District Tours

• Music Concerts or Festivals

• Romantic Getaways

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Chapter 7. Goals, Objectives & Strategies

Goal 4: Promote the historical, cultural, and natural resources of the Greater Round Hill Area as

marketable economic commodities that can provide an exceptional quality life for residents and a

quality experience for visitors.

a) Objective: Utilize historic preservation efforts to aide and stimulate local economic

development, encourage community revitalization and protect regional history, culture and

pride.

1. Strategy: Develop educational methods to increase public support for historic

preservation as a tool for improving the overall quality of life of the community.

2. Strategy: Work with Visit Loudoun to welcome heritage tourists to town.

3. Strategy: Build upon the history of Round Hill as a vacation retreat by encouraging the

development of Bed and Breakfast establishments.

4. Strategy: Promote town as a getaway destination, with the intent of increasing the

frequency and duration of visitors to the town.

b) Objective: Promote the town’s close proximity to nature, recreation and open space

attractions of the Greater Round Hill Area as an important factor in choosing to open a small

business in town.

1. Strategy: Continue marketing the town to new businesses and residents as the “Gateway

to the Blue Ridge Mountains.”

2. Strategy: Incorporate the Appalachian Trail and Sleeter Lake Park into Round Hill’s

marketing efforts.

3. Strategy: Support the Rural Economic Development Council and embrace the strategic

location of the town among the scenic vineyards and farms of Western Loudoun County

as part of Round Hill’s marketing and economic development efforts.

4. Strategy: Support the Loudoun County Loudoun County Equine Alliance and embrace the

strategic location of the town among the horse farms of Loudoun County as part of

Round Hill’s marketing and economic development efforts.

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5. Strategy: Evaluate the development needs of a future Agriculture and Rural Business

Accelerator to determine what sites in the Greater Round Hill Area are possibly suitable

for its construction and establishment.

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APPENDIX 15

Chapter 4 from the 2017 Round Hill Comprehensive Plan

Natural Resources

Section 3: Environmental Stewardship

(Refer to Map 4-4 Green Infrastructure). The Town of Round Hill has benefitted over the past 25 years from receiving various parcels of land and easements. From open space dedications to park land, the Town has accumulated a significant amount of land and natural resource management responsibilities for a Town of less than 300 households and less than 15 staff members. The Town recognizes that it is the duty of the staff and officials to properly manage the land and easements in order to maintain the long-term benefits of these important assets.

Currently, the Town does not have a system for monitoring the status of all its land and easements to ensure for the proper management of all legal, financial, and environmental responsibilities. This monitoring should include land and easements located within town but owned by other entities (such as the two stormwater ponds in town limits). These ponds are owned by two homeowner’s associations, but the Town does not have an enforcement mechanism in place to regulate the maintenance of these ponds. Section 4: Sleeter Lake

Sleeter Lake is a 65 years old 100-acre man-made lake to the southeast of Round Hill. The lake was

constructed in the 1960s to serve as a vital source of water for Colonel Sleeter to irrigate apple and

peach orchards on his 850-acre farm known as Hill High Orchards.

Landowners who live along the shoreline own private access points to enter the lake. The Villages

of Round Hill Homeowners Association offers boating and fishing opportunities at Sleeter Lake from

their private access point. Homeowners are able to rent boats in-season or keep their own

equipment in lakeside storage facilities. The Round Hill Associates rezoning in 1989 proffered a

public access point to the Town of Round Hill at the site of a future Sleeter Lake Park located off of

Lakefield Road.

The north fork of Goose Creek rises at the east end of Sleeter Lake in Round Hill and flows 13.3 miles

(21.4 km) in a southeastward direction, joining with the main branch in the water gap of the Catoctin

Mountain. Sleeter Lake is home to a variety of fish including bream, bluegill, bullhead, pickerel, perch

and smallmouth bass.

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The Town will need to continue to be good stewards of the lake to protect its ecology and viewsheds.

As owners of the two main access points, the Town will need to develop strategies to work with the

Villages of Round Hill Homeowners Association to responsibly manage the lake.

Sleeter Lake was formed by a dam (state inventory number 10710) that requires constant

maintenance, management, and enforcement to reduce the chances of any failure. The Virginia

Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) dam safety staff works to ensure that dams are

properly and safely designed, built, operated, and maintained. Dams in Virginia are classified by

hazard potential - high, significant, or low. Classification may change according to how a given dam's

failure might affect lives and property downstream. DCR classified Sleeter Lake Dam as a Significant

Hazard Dam that meets minimum public safety standards. The prioritization of dams was

determined by an analysis of failure modes, number of people downstream, and estimated cost of

rehabilitation. The two failure modes analyzed are: dam overtopping and seepage. It is a private

dam owned by the Villages of Round Hill. The Town should continue to check with the HOA on a

regular basis to understand the status of the dam since failure could endanger lives, property and

infrastructure. Another concern for the dam is if upgrades are required in the future, they can cost

between $750,000 and $8,000,000 (based on a 2011 report “Costs, Funding and Prioritization of

Virginia Dams to Meet Minimum Public Safety Standards”).

Chapter 4. Goals, Objectives & Strategies

Theme: Advocate for environmental stewardship by encouraging responsible use and protection of

the natural environment through conservation and sustainable practices. Stewardship of the

environment refers to protecting the environment through recycling, conservation, regeneration,

and restoration. The responsibility for environmental quality should be shared by all those whose

actions affect the environment.

Goal 1: Require careful site planning and design in land development applications to maintain a high

degree of quality in the protection, enhancement, and management of the natural environment and

natural resources.

a) Objective: Ensure the following strategies are considered in the review of land development applications in relation to land use patterns and a sustainable community.

1. Strategy: Protect against the destruction of, or encroachment upon environmentally sensitive areas.

2. Strategy: Protect against the destruction of, or encroachment upon scenic views, woodlands, and natural areas.

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3. Strategy: Require areas of open space to serve as wildlife habitats and as natural reductions in stormwater runoff.

4. Strategy: Protect the existing topography and tree cover as key site planning elements in the town gateways and corridors.

5. Strategy: Protect and connect natural resource areas such as steep slopes and natural

drainages. 6. Strategy: Adopt amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and the Subdivision & Land

Development Ordinance to regulate the above strategies or consider adding guidelines to support the above strategies in the future Round Hill design guidelines.

b) Objective: Ensure the following strategies are considered in the review of land development

applications in relation to landscaping and the natural environment. 1. Strategy: Preserve existing native plants and trees while incorporating new elements to

significantly improve and enhance local natural resources.

2. Strategy: Prevent and control erosion and runoff, which in turn preserves aesthetics and reduces maintenance, through the use of planters, landscaping and trees.

3. Strategy: Reinforce a sense of community and project the image of a small historic town, through the use of planters, landscaping and trees.

4. Strategy: Adopt amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and the Subdivision & Land

Development Ordinance to regulate the above strategies or consider adding guidelines to support the above strategies in the future Round Hill design guidelines.

(Skipped Goal 2 about Stormwater) Goal 3: Promote environmental stewardship as a mechanism to

increase community viability, economic health, and sense of place.

a) Objective: Increase connections between Round Hill and the Appalachian Trail to promote

community awareness and increase knowledge of the trail as a local asset. 1. Strategy: Become a member of the national designation network “Appalachian Trail

Community.”

2. Strategy: Establish a Round Hill Appalachian Trail Advisory Committee made up of local Appalachian Trail volunteers and supporters.

3. Strategy: Include the Appalachian Trail in Town marketing and provide educational materials at the Town Office.

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4. Strategy: Increase dialogue with county officials about the importance of the

Appalachian Trail to Round Hill. 5. Strategy: Encourage local residents to volunteer at the Bears Den and Blackburn Trail

Centers. 6. Strategy: Educate residents of the benefits of membership in the Potomac Appalachian

Trail Club and Appalachian Trail Conservancy. 7. Strategy: Maintain a partnership with Round Hill Elementary School to encourage

teachers and students to take part in Trail to Every Classroom (TTEC).

b) Objective: Support the Virginia Bird and Wildlife Trail Program as a way to unify existing and potential Round Hill area wildlife-watching sites into a cohesive environmental stewardship program for local residents. 1. Strategy: Host public input sessions with members of the local wildlife-watching

community to learn what makes the Round Hill area attractive to birders and other wildlife watchers.

2. Strategy: Accept nominations from the local wildlife-watching community for the Town

Council to consider submitting at least one wildlife-watching site to the Virginia Bird & Wildlife Trail Program.

3. Strategy: Encourage local organizations and businesses to feature landscaping and

gardens that will attract birds, honeybees, and butterflies in order to provide natural habitats to help the town co-exist with native wildlife in the area.

4. Strategy: Develop a list of key locations for wildlife-watching and recommendations on how to protect these sites and incorporate them into Round Hill parks or new development projects.

c) Objective: Promote and ensure the long-term health, prosperity, and protection of town’s urban canopy. 1. Strategy: Recognize existing trees, according to their size and species, as town assets (if

they are appropriate for the town) and encourage their protection.

2. Strategy: Consider a tree stewardship program to plan for succession, and initiate opportunities to add trees as part of infrastructure and private development projects.

3. Strategy: Become a member of the national designation network “Tree City USA.”

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Goal 4: Encompass an environmental ethic that it is the Town’s ongoing responsibility to supervise,

enhance, and maintain its properties, easements and facilities in a way that protects and preserves

the environment and its natural resources for future generations.

a) Objective: Maintain a higher standard of leadership in environmental stewardship when managing town-owned facilities and Town operations.

1. Strategy: Consider the town’s impact on the environment when conducting all utility operations.

2. Strategy: Ensure the Town sets a good example for other property owners to follow as good stewards of the environment by properly caring for the land, water, and wildlife located on the same property of town-owned facilities and parks.

3. Strategy: Host environmental education programs at town-owned facilities and parks addressing such topics as water conservation and tree maintenance.

4. Strategy: Partner with local environmental groups and community service groups to utilize town-owned facilities and parks to display or host “best practice” examples such as rain gardens or wildlife habitats.

b) Objective: Protect natural resources and assure the preservation of “critical environmental areas” located within town-owned land and easements.

1. Strategy: Recognize that when acquiring easements and parcels of land, the Town also assumes the duty to protect, maintain, and preserve these easements and parcels of land for future generations in a condition which is equal to or better than the condition of the land at the time it was acquired or developed.

2. Strategy: Protect and preserve the land known as the “Hook” or the “Nature Preserve” located off of Hayman Lane.

3. Strategy: Preserve the land known as “Sleeter Lake Park” located on Lakefield Road for future generations as an area for public recreation purposes while promoting environmental responsibility.

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APPENDIX 16

Annual Hometown Festival Display

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APPENDIX 17

Annual AT Art Show Winners

February 2018

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. Annual AT Art Show Pictures

By Harmony Middle School

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Winners of Art Show

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Guest Speaker – Thru Hiker

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