Front Royal’s Green Vision: Trees, Trails, Dark Skies, and More Take Root

Front Royal’s push to grow greener, safer, and more connected gained momentum this summer, with the Tree Stewards, the Town’s Advisory Committee for Environmental Sustainability (ACES), and local partners rolling out projects that range from planting hundreds of native trees to creating a safer walking route from the Appalachian Trail into town.

Melody Hotek, representing the Tree Stewards, and Justin Proctor of ACES joined the Royal Examiner to share updates on recent successes and what’s next for the community.

The summer kicked off with the annual Garden Tour, which showcased six “hidden gem” gardens to about 45 attendees. “It keeps getting better every year,” Proctor said. “It’s part of the spirit of the event — getting people excited about what’s here and letting that feeling spread.”

Now, the focus is on the upcoming All About Trees class starting September 6. Taught by arborists and experts, the course blends online study with Saturday field sessions, covering everything from tree identification and planting to pruning and mulching. “We need more people who know how to plant trees because we’ve got a lot to plant this fall,” Hotek said.

That’s thanks to a $68,000 grant from the Virginia Department of Forestry, which will fund the planting of 200 large native trees around town. Projects include replacing trees lost to recent droughts, planting along Commerce Avenue, and beautifying town corridors. “These are 10- to 12-foot trees — instant trees,” Procter noted. “We want people to see the momentum in town.”

Public input is welcome. Residents can suggest public land sites for plantings at treesfrontroyal.org. Volunteers will be needed for multiple planting weekends this fall.

Beyond trees, ACES and the Anti-Litter Council are working with local businesses to prepare for Virginia’s July 1, 2026, ban on Styrofoam to-go containers. Grant-funded starter kits of eco-friendly alternatives — from bamboo to cornstarch packaging — are being distributed now. “We want to get this on everybody’s radar,” Proctor said. “That way, businesses can test options and make the switch smoothly.”

Another environmental effort underway is the Dark Skies initiative, aimed at reducing light pollution while improving ground-level safety. “It’s not about making it darker,” Proctor explained. “It’s about targeting the light where it’s needed — on streets and sidewalks — instead of sending it into the sky.” As new lighting is installed, Front Royal Power has been adopting Dark Skies–friendly fixtures, which save energy and preserve views of the night sky.

Perhaps the most ambitious project is the AT Connect Trail, a proposed three-mile walking path linking the Appalachian Trail crossing at Route 522 to downtown Front Royal. “Right now, hikers are walking along the edge of 522 with heavy packs,” Proctor said. “It’s dangerous. We want a safe, beautiful route that follows Sloan Creek and Happy Creek into town.”

After years of behind-the-scenes work with VDOT, the Smithsonian, the National Park Service, and private landowners, a feasibility study is underway. Most of the route is already mapped, with only the final approach into town requiring easements. Once completed, hikers could step off the trail and into town via the Royal Shenandoah Greenway. “It’s a win-win,” Proctor said. “We’d capture tourism, provide services, and offer hikers a scenic welcome.”

Hotek and Proctor also stressed the importance of youth involvement in these initiatives. Scholarships are available for students to take the All About Trees class, and groups are encouraged to designate student ambassadors. “It’s once a month, it’s outside, and it’s planting trees,” Proctor said. “It’s a knowledge that will last a lifetime — and a legacy they can visit for years.”

From tree canopy expansion to pollution reduction, from stargazing to trail connections, these efforts share a common goal: keeping Front Royal’s natural character strong while making it more livable and welcoming.

As Proctor summed it up, “We talk about tourism all the time. Well, here it is — in our backyard. We just need to make it safer, greener, and even more inviting.”