OCCOQUAN, Va. — A terrace, amphitheatre, even ice skating could be coming to a new park in Occoquan.
The Town Council Wednesday approved a memorandum of understanding with with Fairfax Water and Prince William County that clears the way for a new one-acre park to be built where a water treatment facility once stood at the end of Mill Street in Occoquan.
Finer details with the plan have yet to be worked out, but overall Fairfax Water agrees to demolish water tanks that were once apart of the River Station Water Treatment Plant and then lease the property for 30 years to whoever agrees to own be a tenant of the land, said Occoquan Mayor Earine Porta.
A possible buyer leasee for the property is Prince William County, which would contribute funds to build the park. Once built, Occoquan officials would be responsible for maintaining the park.
“We already have everything we need to operate and maintain the park, and would consider hiring someone for the park if we decided to do educational programs,” said Porta.
Occoquan officials want to maintain the park rather than placing it under the care of the Prince William County Parks and Recreation Department, since the park will be closely associated with the town.
What amenities could come with the park? A natural terrace could greet visitors when they come in, and an amphitheater that could support ice skating in wintertime — much like Harris Pavilion in Old Town Manassas — is also a possibility depending upon how plans are drawn up.
“This is a big first step, but a lot more needs to be done with the lease agreement and project design,” added Porta.
Demolition of the old water tanks should begin this fall and the new park could be in place as early as spring 2014, said Porta.
The River Station Water Treatment Plant water treatment plant was taken out of service on Oct. 29, 2007, said Fairfax Water spokeswoman Jeanne M. Bailey. A replacement facility, The Griffith Water Treatment Plant in Lorton, opened in May 2006.
