Prince William County supervisors on Oct. 7 approved a nonbinding framework to enable Parks and Recreation staff to explore co-locating trails alongside Prince William Water infrastructure easements or properties the utility may acquire.

Seth Hendler Voss, director of Parks and Recreation, told the board the proposed agreement establishes a nonbinding process for early coordination: Prince William Water would notify parks staff when new utility projects or easements are being contemplated, and parks staff would have an opportunity to evaluate whether a trail alignment is suitable and recommend partnering on design, permitting, or funding.

"We do when we can," Hendler Voss said, describing how other localities use utility easements for trail development. He emphasized the county would bring specific projects to the board for consideration and that the agreement does not itself create county financial obligations.

Supervisors who spoke in favor described the framework as pragmatic, citing successful examples elsewhere where utilities and parks agencies co-locate trails, power-line corridors or sewer easements to create low-cost linear trail connections. A motion to approve the agreement passed unanimously.

The framework is nonbinding and intended to streamline early project conversations so the county can opportunistically partner on trails when utility construction or easement acquisition presents an alignment opportunity. Specific projects suggested under the framework will still require staff analysis, interagency coordination and board approval before county funds or property interests are committed.