STAFFORD — State officials are moving ahead with development at Widewater State Park.
Around since 2006, the park makes up most of a peninsula between the Potomac River and Aquia Creek. State Senator Scott Surovell (D-36, Fairfax, Stafford, Woodbridge) said that it was important to fund new staff positions at the park. The fight for funding was also led, in the past by former Delegate, now Stafford County Supervisor Mark Dudenhefer.
The state bought the property in 2006, with an adopted plan set in 2008 to develop the park.
Widewater State Park sits on more than 1,000 acres in the Widewater section of Stafford County. It has the only public water access in Stafford County – albeit only for non-motorized boats at this time.
For more than a decade, the park was merely a wooded piece of land. This year, however, a brand new visitor center and non-motorized boat launch has been built. It also has picnic areas, a playground, and residences for the staff.
But, the park has no staff, and park rangers and law enforcement are needed at the park to ensure public safety and rules are being followed.
Hiring staff
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation was allotted six full-time employees beginning July 1 for Widewater Park to open and operate the park as part of phase IA development.
The full-time positions include Park Manager, Chief Ranger Visitor Experience, Chief Ranger Law Enforcement, Park Ranger Maintenance, Park Ranger Law Enforcement, and Office Manager
The Park is in the process of hiring a staff for the park and purchasing equipment, furniture and all the other things necessary to run a State Park. In addition, they are working with VDOT to establish road signage to the park.
The new park amenities, which also include hiking trails, was apart of “Phase 1A.”
Two staff residences have been completed. When hired, full-time rangers will live on site to provide security to the park property and to address any issues after normal park hours.
Amenities
Phase 1A of Widewater Park is anticipating the opening of the park to occur on National Public Lands Day at the end of September.
Work on construction Phase 1B consists of a power boat launch that accesses the Potomac River and the completion of a park maintenance facility. Currently, there is only a small shed on site to store all maintenance equipment.
“Phase 1B will include the completion of a second contact station that will serve the Potomac River side entrance,” said Anderson. “One of the most heavily anticipated amenities will be the power boat launch that will access the Potomac River. That is currently in the architectural and engineering phase so no ground has been broken yet, it could potentially be open to the public in 2020.”
Widewater State Park is working on firming up plans for a grand opening ceremony this November, however, a date for the ceremony has yet to be announced.
There are plans to invite dignitaries to the event such as the Governor and State Senators and Delegates that have played instrumental roles in making Widewater State Park a reality
