STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. –– Crow’s Nest Natural Area Preserve in Stafford County just became more visitor friendly.
The preserve, located in the Aquia District, just opened a new parking facility that will accommodate up to 20 cars. The $200,000 parking lot is located at Brooke Road and Sentinel Ridge Lane.
“We have worked for a long time to make Crow’s Nest into what it is today – a place to come and visit, to hike, kayak, and to see the beauty of the preserve,” said Stafford Aquia District Supervisor Paul Milde.
The new parking facility is one of the two parking lots now open at the preserve. A new kayak launch is also slated to open later this year and will include a 350-foot pier that will extend into Accokeek Creek.
“When we opened Crow’s Nest, we knew people would want access to the water. So we’ve worked to make it easier for them to come and visit and hike. The new pier will make it easier for them to put non-motorized boats into the water,” said Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation Natural Heritage Director Tom Smith.
The preserve sits in eastern Stafford County, and the state in 2009 added 1,110 acres to the area, opting to preserve a total of 2,872 acres of land at the Potomac River and Accokeek Creek.
The parking improvements come as a special Field Day event is planned at Crow’s Nest on May 5. Virginia’s Department of Conservation and Recreation is taking reservations for 80 spots available to participate in a field hike tour and natural history interpretation from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The event will be held rain or shine, and hikes will be one to four miles long. Participants are urged to wear casual clothes.
Participants can call 804-786-7951 to RSVP.
