Huge plus for me. We have a privacy fence, gate and plenty of foliage between the fence and path. It is well frequented in a good way (not lighted at night). I just walk or grab my bike during lunch break - beautiful!

It would be a huge plus for us.

We were next to the W&OD in our last house, and the access was a huge plus. It was a TH, so the yard didn’t directly abut the trail, but we were close enough that we could see some trail users from our back porch and there was an access point very close to our house. We used the trail almost every single day - no additional crime and no additional noise. Easy trail access is a major positive in my book.

Anonymous wrote:Depends, but generally a con. For example, it's a big con if you're talking Capital Crescent Trail as it makes you an easy target for theft due to accessibility to the trail.

We live in a neighborhood on the CCT. We are a block from the trail. I can tell you that zero % of crime in our neighborhood is committed by people coming off the trail.

The only possible negative is early morning noise from cyclists and runners.

Yep - I would do it as long as I didn't live in a HOA area which would prevent me from privacy measures like tall fencing and hedges.

A popular trail in Chevy Chase was converted to a light rail line. I think of all the houses that backed up to it. So consider if alternate uses are possible.

My dad owned a townhouse for a while where some of the community backed directly onto the Capital Crescent Trail. That was a negative because of the noise very early in the morning.

We live in front of a trail and love it! We are in a TH, though, so, lots of neighbors and people around. Great views, beautiful nature, we can easily hike or bike right outside the door. We’ve lived here 11 years and never had any negatives.

Con. I looked at a house in Arlington and thought it was great that there was access to a trail right near the house. We started walking along the trail only to happen upon a group of people smoking pot with their pit bulls roaming around off leash and this was right near the house. I changed my mind very quickly.

We back to a trail that’s down a heavily wooded hill and it’s fine, but it’s a local neighborhood trail.

Depends, but generally a con. For example, it's a big con if you're talking Capital Crescent Trail as it makes you an easy target for theft due to accessibility to the trail.

Depending on the buffer between the property and the trail, it could be an absolute deal breaker or maker. I love using trails, but I don’t want to hear or see the activity while in my yard or house. Safety would also be a concern, so at least a 6 foot fence would be needed in addition to foliage.

We have a tree/foliage buffer and it is neither a pro nor a con. I mostly forget it’s there. I use the trails, but do not enter from the backyard because the foliage is thick between the backyard and the trail. I’ve never felt unsafe, nor have my kids or husband.

Con

Plus! Just needs a fence and planting and a gate.