MANASSAS PARK, Va. – Summer is in full swing, but Signal Bay Waterpark remains closed as crews work to complete long-overdue upgrades to one of the city’s most beloved attractions.

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MANASSAS PARK, Va. – Police are investigating after an 18-year-old man was fatally struck by a train early Friday morning near Manassas Drive.

Officers responded to a call around 4:20 a.m. reporting a person hit by a train north of Manassas Drive. When first responders arrived, they found an adult male with fatal injuries. The man, a Manassas resident, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities say the victim was on or near the tracks when the train approached. Train traffic was halted during the initial investigation but has since resumed.

The Manassas Park Police Department says the incident remains under active investigation. While there is no indication of foul play, officials are working closely with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to determine the official cause and manner of death. The identity of the victim is being withheld out of respect for the family.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Manassas Park Police Department at 703-361-1136 or Crime Solvers at 703-330-0330.

MANASSAS PARK, Va. – Signal Bay Waterpark will now open on Thursday, July 11, city officials announced Friday, marking the latest delay in the park’s summer season.

The waterpark typically opens Memorial Day weekend, but the city had already postponed this year’s opening due to ongoing renovations. Officials initially hoped to welcome guests by June 23, and later targeted July 4. Now, the city says “everything else is ready to go” — they’re just waiting on the delivery and installation of a new water feature.

The upgrades include a new pool liner and refreshed attractions designed to enhance the visitor experience. Once complete, the park will resume normal summer hours and offer its popular lazy river, slides, and splash zones for children and families.

Signal Bay Waterpark is a key draw for residents each summer, and city leaders thanked the community for its continued patience. More updates are expected to be posted on the city’s Facebook page.

MANASSAS PARK, Va. – The Manassas Park Governing Body is considering a new ordinance that would ban firearms in city-owned buildings, a move Vice Mayor Darryl Moore says is about protecting the public before tragedy strikes.

During a meeting on Tuesday, June 24, Moore introduced the proposal, which would prohibit residents and visitors from carrying firearms into facilities such as City Hall, the Community Center, the MAP Clinic, and the Planning Department office at Blooms Park.

“There wasn’t necessarily a specific incident,” said Moore. “But like I said, the CDC said that’s the number one charge. And why wait for an incident when we can do something to handle it before it happens?”

City Manager Carl Cole confirmed the proposal is permitted under Virginia law. A 2020 change to state code allows local governments to restrict guns in public buildings and parks, provided an ordinance is passed.

Council members expressed broad support for the move, though some, like Councilman Michael Carrera, questioned whether the proposed penalty—a Class 1 misdemeanor carrying up to a $2,500 fine and 12 months in jail—was too harsh. Carrera asked for a comparison with other cities’ penalties before moving forward.

Another inquired about the status of firearms in public parks, believing there may already be restrictions. City Attorney Dean advised that the city’s existing ordinance only prohibits weapons for the purpose of hunting and does not prevent individuals from carrying firearms in parks.

Several council members discussed possibly expanding the ban in the future to include outdoor areas such as Blooms Park, the farmer’s market, or large city events like Last Friday. For now, however, the consensus settled on limiting the ordinance to city buildings.

The governing body directed the city attorney to begin drafting the ordinance language. A formal vote is expected at a future meeting once the proposed ordinance is complete and reviewed by the governing body.

Moore states that the focus of the ordinance is on restricting firearms in buildings, rather than regulating storage in personal vehicles.

WOODBRIDGE, Va. –A surge in riders across OmniRide commuter bus routes is triggering overcrowding issues on several key lines, prompting officials at the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC) to weigh how and where they can expand service — especially as the region heads into a busy fall season.

Speaking during the June 5 PRTC Board of Commissioners meeting, Executive Director Dr. Bob Schneider said ridership dipped slightly in May due to seasonal factors like Memorial Day and rainy weather, but overall remains strong.

“Ridership is still fantastic… We are hitting that beginning of the summer seasonal adjustment,” Schneider told the commission.

Among the standout performers is Route 981, which runs from Lake Ridge to the Pentagon and downtown D.C. — ridership on that route has doubled since January. Western express routes that operate from the University Boulevard commuter lot are carrying more than 40,000 monthly riders, while southern routes serving Stafford, Fredericksburg, and Spotsylvania counties have topped 30,000 riders a month.

Still, the agency is confronting the downside of growing demand: overcrowded buses.

Schneider said OmniRide recorded 74 overcrowded trips in May, all of them in the afternoon as commuters returned from D.C. to Northern Virginia.

“The issue isn’t the number of people going in — it’s everyone leaving at the same time,” he said.

The biggest pinch points are on the following routes:

• Route 612 – Warrenton/Gainesville to Pentagon/Navy Yard
• Route 943 – Stafford to D.C.
• Route 953 – Montclair to D.C.
• Route 971 – Dale City to D.C.

Routes 612 and 943 are grant-funded, giving the agency more flexibility to add trips if needed. However, Routes 953 and 971 are locally funded, and Schneider cautioned that OmniRide currently lacks dedicated funding to expand service on those lines.

Commissioners raised questions about how ridership trends align with overall population growth. Staff explained they track commuter lot capacity and development trends — not just raw population figures — to guide service decisions. That includes monitoring ongoing residential growth along I-66 and Route 28, as well as major developments like the planned Manassas Mall redevelopment.

Officials expect to have a clearer picture of ridership patterns by mid-July.

“If the summer dip is minimal, we’re concerned that overcrowding will worsen in the fall,” Schneider added.

MANASSAS PARK, Va. – After more than 20 years of dedicated service, Manassas Park officials honored City Attorney Dean Crowhurst during an emotional sendoff at the June 17 Governing Body meeting.

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MANASSAS PARK, Va. – Signal Bay Waterpark is now targeting a July 4 reopening after delays caused by ongoing renovations.

In a Facebook update, Manassas Park officials expressed appreciation for the community’s patience and support, stating that preparations are underway for the installation of a new liner and water features.

Earlier this year, the park’s opening was postponed due to necessary improvements aimed at enhancing the visitor experience. The city had previously announced a delayed opening to June 23, about a month later than initially planned.

Signal Bay Waterpark, located within Signal Hill Park, is a 27,000-square-foot facility featuring a zero-depth entry leisure pool, water cannons, slides, and a lazy river. It has been a popular summer destination for both residents and visitors since its opening in 1996.

For the latest updates on the reopening, residents are encouraged to follow the City of Manassas Park’s official Facebook page.

MANASSAS PARK, Va. – The Manassas Park Governing Body has signaled support for a balanced approach to the Fiscal Year 2026 budget that includes modest property tax relief and gradual increases in utility rates aimed at long-term sustainability.

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MANASSAS PARK, Va. – Manassas Park’s 50th Anniversary celebration is well underway, with a lineup of events that will continue into the fall and a focus on honoring the city’s history while engaging its community in meaningful ways.

The next big event will be a ceremonial anniversary flag raising on July 1, now set to take place at City Hall instead of Costello Park. Officials shifted the venue due to low RSVPs and a lighter entertainment schedule than expected. The ceremony will resemble the city’s annual Memorial Day and Pride flag raisings and will include a light reception in the City Hall banquet room. The gathering will lead into the regular Tuesday night council meeting.

On July 5, residents can look forward to the city’s official 50th Anniversary Parade, which will begin on East Carambola and proceed downhill along Manassas Drive, ending near City Hall. The parade will run from 9 to 11 a.m. and will feature a children’s bike brigade, community floats, and performing arts groups. Prizes will be awarded for Best Bike Decoration, Most Creative Float, Best Performing Arts Group, and Best in Show.

Later that evening, residents can enjoy the Independence Day celebration at Signal Hill Park, making July 5 a full day of community festivities.

The final signature event of the anniversary year will be the Fire & Fiddle Fest on October 4 at Costello Park. Headlined by bluegrass band Seldom Scene, the event will include smaller musical acts, a food truck competition in place of a previously planned BBQ contest, and activities for all ages—including bounce houses, vendor tents, and a possible car show. Food trucks will compete for prizes, and tasting tickets will allow attendees to vote for their favorites. Organizers are also working through Virginia ABC guidance to determine if alcohol tastings can be offered.

Throughout the year, the city is also working on legacy projects. A digital “online museum” is being assembled with contributions from residents, including old photos, bills, and documents. Officials are also searching for the city’s longest-residing resident, not necessarily the oldest, who will be invited to raise the anniversary flag and serve as the Grand Marshal of the parade.

A 50th Anniversary time capsule is also in the works. Its goal is to be sealed later this year and reopened in 25 years, during the city’s 75th anniversary.

Residents can find submission forms and event details on the city’s website by clicking the “50th Anniversary” banner at the top of the homepage.

In March, the Manassas Park Governing Body voted 4–3 to disband the 50th Anniversary Planning Committee, prompting backlash from former officials and residents. The decision was made without public comment, and critics said the move disregarded the work of volunteers who had been organizing the celebration for more than a year. Former Councilmember Laura Hampton, who served on the committee, said the group was never consulted before the vote and that the governing body acted on misinformation.

💰 The City of Manassas Park just dropped its proposed budget for FY2026, and let’s just say… your water, sewer, and stormwater fees are going up, but there’s a tiny silver lining when it comes to your real estate taxes.

Here’s the scoop in plain language👇

🏠 Real Estate Tax: A Penny Saved…

Good news first: your real estate tax rate is going down… barely.

• Current: $1.405 per $100 of assessed value

• FY26: $1.395 per $100

Don’t go spending that windfall just yet—it’s about $10 less per $100,000 of property value. But hey, we’ll take it!

🚗 Personal Property Tax: No Change

• Still $3.50 per $100 of assessed vehicle value.

Cars continue to hit your wallet the same way they did last year.

💦 Water & Sewer Rates: A Steady Climb

Residential Rates (per 1,000 gallons):

• Water: $4.07 → $4.68

• Sewer: $6.77 → $7.79

📈 That’s a 15%+ increase—so if your family’s running the laundry and sprinklers nonstop this summer, expect a noticeable bump.

Commercial Water/Sewer: Tiered Increases

Depending on usage, you’ll pay more across the board:

• Example (0–10,000 gallons):

  • Water: $6.14 → $7.06

  • Sewer: $8.88 → $10.21

ERU fees (based on meter size) also jump—larger businesses will feel this more.

💧 Stormwater Fee: Raining on Your Budget

• Annual Stormwater Management Fee:

  • $182.88 → $210.31 per ERU

  • That’s about a 15% increase

This fee helps the city manage runoff, drainage, and environmental protection. Necessary, but not exactly thrilling.

🗑️ Trash & Recycling: Slight Hike

• Curbside pickup: $24.86 → $27.35

• Dumpster service: $20.29 → $22.32

That’s roughly $2 more a month to take out the trash.

👵 Senior Tax Relief: More Savings

Seniors get a bit of relief:

• Discount: $6.77 → $7.44

A small gesture, but every dollar counts.

🧾 Final Word: What’s the Budget Outlook?

• City budget is shrinking this year:

  • FY25: $142M → FY26: $97.5M (↓31.5%)

• Schools get a slight boost:

  • Up about $2.3M to $64.8M

• Total budget drops by $45M overall—down 21.7%Agenda June 3 2025-2-4…

📣 Public Hearing: June 3, 2025