Greensprings Interpretive Trail

Description

This trail was developed to provide a 3.5-mile soft surface venue for hikers and joggers. The naturalist might find it difficult to believe that this extensive site, with its remarkable diversity of habitat, was created for humans and not wildlife. One of the three interconnecting trail loops encircle a 34-acre beaver pond and incorporates a 1,000-foot boardwalk with an observation deck overlooking the water. Red-headed woodpeckers and ospreys share nesting rights to the snags flooded by this pond, and waterfowl use it as a resting area during migrations.

The boardwalk’s lowered rails let everyone look for great egrets and waterfowl in the pond. Photo Credit: Lisa Mease/DWR

Over 200 nesting and migrant bird species have been documented here, including several kinds of warblers and other songbirds. Botanists will appreciate knowing that wildflowers previously located in the path of the trails were relocated out of harm’s way, and, subsequently, the entire trail was designated a wildflower sanctuary that continues to receive transplants from other developments within the county. The trail and the boardwalk may be used during all seasons and are ADA accessible.

Directions

Physical Address: 3751 John Tyler Highway, Williamsburg, VA 23185

From central Williamsburg, head west on VA-5/Jamestown Rd, turn right onto VA-199/VA-5/Humelsine Pkwy, turn left to stay on VA-5/John Tyler Hwy, turn left onto Eagle Way and follow it to the trailhead past the high school.