Considered Phases 1 and 2 of the trail system, the path through Pratt Park was planned by the now-defunct Fredericksburg-Stafford Park Authority, which managed some parks in the city and county.

Two more sections are planned to extend the path to George Washington's Boyhood Home at Ferry Farm.

Previous estimates showed that costs for these final two phases, identified as 4 and 6, could come to $1 million.

Stafford County has tentatively been awarded $597,000 from the Virginia Department of Transportation's enhancement grant funding, for projects that integrate transportation into communities and improve the quality of life.

However, not all county residents approve of the project.

"It goes from nowhere to nowhere," said Mike Stankus, a regular customer at Amy's. "I like walking and I like hiking, but it's a waste of money."

Jagoda, another customer at Amy's, disagreed.

"A lot of people visit Fredericksburg as visitors," she said, "and instead of walking around downtown, they can walk along the river."

Katie Thisdell: 540/735-1975
Email: kthisdell@freelancestar.com