Chapman DeMary Trail

Chapman DeMaryThe student designed and maintained Chapman DeMary Trail is an outdoor classroom where students learn about and develop an appreciation for the nature that surrounds them—it also serves as a nature park for residents and visitors. The beauty of the trail encourages exploration of the outdoors and emphasizes sustainability in everyday activities. The trail is supported by the Newton Marasco Foundation, Loudoun Valley High School, the Piedmont Environmental Council, and the Town of Purcellville.

Download the Chapman DeMary Trail brochure

The entrance to the Chapman DeMary Trail is located behind the building at 205 East Hirst Road in Purcellville, Virginia.

Events on the Trail

The Newton Marasco Foundation, in cooperation with the Town of Purcellville and its Parks and Recreation Committee, will offer a variety of free interpretive hikes on the trail throughout the year led by local experts on topics such as local birds, wildflowers, and trees along the trail. Information on these can be found on the Events section of our web site. While these nature walks are free, we encourage you to register to attend. We hope you will come out and enjoy this beautiful resource on your own or with one of the guided nature walks!

Become a Friend of the Chapman DeMary Trail

Did you know...
  • $25 will buy two field guides
  • $50 will buy one pair of binoculars
  • $125 will buy one microscope
  • $250 will buy one full student trail toolkit including a complete set of field guides, binoculars, and a microscope
  • $500 will buy mulch, plants, and equipment for students
  • $1,000 will buy four full student trail toolkits or trail signs

You can become part of this inspirational effort initiated by local students and make a difference in their lives and education! Your gift will help students fulfill their role as stewards of the trail, and encourage environmental learning and experiences among students and residents throughout Loudoun!

Become a friend of the Chapman DeMary Trail

Encourage LVHS students by supporting their hard work on the trail. Your support will help us:

  • Create educational signs along the trail
  • Provide information about the flora and fauna on the trail
  • Purchase plants, materials, and equipment to continue to improve and maintain the trail
  • Purchase student trail toolkits with binoculars, field guides, water testing kits, microscopes, and more
  • Provide teachers with the resources for trail trips
  • Establish free guided nature walks for residents and visitors
  • Fund a naturalist to guide field trips and nature walks

The Story of the Trail

Years ago, John DeMary, Loudoun Valley High School (LVHS) teacher and naturalist, and his students shared a vision to protect an undeveloped 10-acre tract of land near their school and use it as an outdoor classroom. Students presented this vision to Purcellville leaders and community members. John Chapman, owner of the land and father of a former student of Mr.DeMary’s, heard the presentation and was so impressed, he offered to put the land into a conservation easement, as long as LVHS students continued to be stewards of the area. This 10-acre easement was signed into effect in 2008. Under the guidance of Mr. DeMary and fellow teacher Liam McGranaghan, LVHS students took on the creation and maintenance of this trail including cleaning the area, laying wood chips to mark the trail, planting trees and flowers, and building non-invasive bridges. It was officially opened in October 2009, and is now available for all in Loudoun County to enjoy.

John TeachingThe Future of the Trail

The Chapman DeMary Trail, located in what is considered to be the last stand of old growth forest in Town, can provide amazing hands-on environmental learning opportunities to thousands of students throughout Loudoun County, and to even more residents and visitors! You can help us reach our goals to:

  • Support student efforts to maintain the trail with mulch, plants, and equipment
  • Establish the trail as a fully functional outdoor classroom available for any school
  • Make it a true nature trail where residents can learn about and appreciate our environment

MulchingMcGranaghan Stewardship Award

During the 2009 ribbon-cutting ceremony for the trail, the Newton Marasco Foundation announced and presented the first McGranaghan Stewardship Award to the LVHS teacher for whom it is named, Liam McGranaghan. This award was established to recognize his dedication and commitment to the trail. Future awards will be given to individuals or groups who demonstrate good stewardship of the trail.

hiking the trailFriends of the Chapman DeMary Trail

We thank the following individuals and organizations for supporting our trail efforts!

Vern Conaway
Deborah Lee
Lawrence and Helen Leonard
Donald Mayhew
Jan Joseph Ross
Rotary Club of Purcellville
James Schatz
Martha Semmes
Diane Shipp
John Sinski
Scott Smith
Ken and Susan Stewart
Virginia Regional Transit
Twigs of Purcellville