Crist Farm Walking Trails Now Open at BRC

Bridgewater, VA—What began as a vision to bring a meaningful outdoor destination to Bridgewater Retirement Community is now a reality. The Crist Farm Walking Trails (located off Will Lane adjacent to Oakdale Park) are fully open to the public, welcoming area residents, students, nature lovers, and BRC community members to enjoy over 1.2 miles of accessible paths and scenic nature experiences.

The trail system blends 8-foot paved walkways and 6-foot gravel trails, winding through a 20-acre ecologically diverse site of woodlands, native grassland, wetlands, natural streams, and expansive meadow. Along the way, the trails provide access to overlooks, a marsh walk, woodland views, a labyrinth, and more — offering a variety of experiences for walkers of all ages and activity levels.

“We are thrilled to see the Crist Farm Walking Trails open and serving our region,” said Rodney Alderfer, President of Bridgewater Retirement Community. “These trails provide a beautiful space for residents and the broader community to walk, reflect, learn, and enjoy nature. We hope families, schools, and visitors of all ages will take advantage of this resource for wellness and recreation.”

The project was made possible thanks to a generous gift from BRC residents Edgar and Kathy Simmons, who contributed funding specifically for the trail development through the BRC Foundation. Their support helped bring the long-envisioned project to life.

The land — once considered for expansion of BRC’s Independent Living Village — was originally donated to BRC in 2000 by Paige and Ann Will. In 2018, as plans shifted, BRC reimagined the property as an outdoor destination for both the community and residents at every level of living.

BRC partnered with Harrisonburg-based Monteverde Engineering and Design Studio to develop the trail plans and guide the project through completion. The architectural and planning expertise provided by Monteverde helped ensure the trails would be accessible, environmentally sensitive, and engaging for visitors.

Since opening in 2023, the trails have quickly become a popular community resource — a place for daily walks, outdoor learning, picnics, reflection, birdwatching, and time spent with family and friends.

The Crist Farm Walking Trails are open to the public daily from dawn until dusk. BRC continues to enhance the natural space with seasonal plantings, meadow plantings, and future additions such as a resident-led bluebird trail.