HENRICO, Va. (WTVR)--In 2007, the Virginia Department of Transportation decided that parts of the Capital Bike Trail would run through the yards of some Varina residents.
Yet, many of those homeowners found out about it for the first time, last night.
Karlis Graubics Sr. was greeted to some unexpected news Wednesday night, when he learned a state-sponsored bike path from Rocketts landing to Williamsburg will zig-and-zag right through the front yard of his Varina daycare, 'Tuckaway.'
"I’m only concerned about the safety factor of it. Only because I noticed on the pictures that a loop is coming from the other side of the road, and is crossing over to my property which is a playground for children,” said Graubics.
VDOT has been planning the extensive bike trail for years, but held a public session this week outlining a new path.
The bike path starts on the south side of Route 5 near Rocketts Landing, before crossing over to the north side of the street by Midview road--and the daycare--shoots through a local park, and continues along Route 5.
"I don't trust drivers; quite honestly, I’ve seen too many people get clipped by cars,” said Mark Chavez, who is very excited for a new bike trail. “So if you get me a safe place to ride on a path, I’m there.”
He praised the trail, for giving cyclists and runners a clean path from one historic city to another.
But some property owners, who discovered Wednesday that the trail will end up 20-feet deep on their lawns, feel they've 'surrendered' their rights, and safety in some cases.
Varina supervisor Tyrone Nelson said he understands why.
"It's a tough place to be in. I like the trail, but I also empathize with the property owner who may not want the trail coming through their front yard,” said Nelson.
The trail is anticipated to be completed in 2014. To learn more about it, click here.
