By Uriah Kiser
WOODBRIDGE, Va. — The largest employer of youth in Prince William could today become apart of the county government.
The county’s Board of Supervisors at 2 p.m. will hold a public meeting to discuss dissolving the Prince William County Park Authority and replacing it with a county parks and recreation department. The independent Authority’s Board, which was first created in 1971 and is responsible for managing 67 properties over 4,000 acres, voted Feb. 7 that it wanted to be enveloped by the county government.
Prince William officials in documents related to the merger state times have changed since the inception of the Park Authority, whose job back then was to manage just three properties.
“The Park Authority merger into the county government structure reflects the growth and changes in the community since the Authority was formed in 1971…since then Prince William has grown tremendously in population and diversity,” stated Prince William Deputy County Executive Susan Roltsch. “Our citizens need and expect more and more types of recreation services and the provision of these services requires a significant outlay of funds from the taxpayers of the county.”
The county would assume ownership of all park properties and obligations, including debt.
Last year the Authority went into debt after developing golf courses. County officials stepped in and helped refinance their debt, and then reduced the amount of money regularly transferred to the Authority from the county’s general fund in lieu of making payments directly for the Authority, documents state.
Currently, 45 percent of the Park Authority’s funds come from monies generated internally, but the larger remaining portion comes from the county and the general fund, according to county documents.
The Park Authority employs more than 500 full-time or full-time equivalent positions, as well as 1,900 part-time seasonal positions making it the largest employer of youths in the county. If the merger is approved, those employees would become county government employees, but documents do not state if the new parks department would maintain its current staffing levels.
If the merger is approved, management of the parks would transfer from its current eight-member to a newly formed Parks and Recreation Advisory Board by July 1.
Recent Stories
The Virginia State Police issued a Senior Alert Friday night for a missing 78-year-old man last seen in Stafford County.
Nearly 40 years after Jacqueline Lord was found murdered, a jury has found Elroy Harrison guilty of her killing.
Fredericksburg City Council has adopted a new comprehensive plan that lays out how the city will grow, change, and preserve what residents love most over the next 20 years.
The Stafford County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday night to adopt a new ordinance that will allow speed and red light cameras in school and highway work zones, a move aimed at improving road safety across the county.
The ArtsFairfax Events Calendar is your destination for all arts and culture activities in Northern Virginia. Find a concert, play, poetry reading, or exhibition in your neighborhood—many events are free and family-friendly!
Are you part of a performing arts group, school, or cultural organization? You can add your events and classes, too. The ArtsFairfax Events Calendar is free and easy to use.
Your attendance at local arts events supports small businesses in our community and the art makers who help make Fairfax and its surrounding region so vibrant. With the ArtsFairfax Events Calendar, you can stay curious and stay local to plan your next arts adventure!
Go Ape, America’s leading aerial adventure park provider, is proud to unveil a revitalized experience across its iconic Zipline & Adventure Parks. This refresh goes beyond physical upgrades; it reflects a renewed mission to foster meaningful connections between people, nature, and self.
“Go Ape has always been about thrilling treetop adventures,” says Chrissy Very, Senior Director of Marketing. “Now, we’re redefining what it means to truly connect: through purpose-driven outdoor experiences that inspire courage, reflection, and joy.”
As access to public outdoor spaces becomes more limited, Go Ape steps in to bridge the gap with immersive, inclusive, and wellness-focused adventures for individuals, families, and groups.
Christmas in July
Volunteer Prince William will be holding a fun-filled Christmas in July event at Heritage Brewing Co on July 26th from 12pm until 6pm with all proceeds going to support the 2025 Untrim-A-Tree and Senior Basket Program. Untrim-A-Tree and Senior Basket
Your Weight Matters National Convention
Hosted by the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) since 2012, this highly-anticipated gathering is the nation’s leading gathering focused on empowering individuals with science-based education, support and practical tools for managing weight and improving health.
This unique Convention truly has something
