Parks and Rec Archives - Potomac Local News

Published November 10, 2025 at 8:34PM

“We sincerely thank all our wonderful players, amazing parents, and fantastic volunteers for their participation and support in 2025,” The Miracle League of Prince William County stated. “In 2026, we will be celebrating five years of the Miracle League program and are excited about what the future of the program holds.”

Board members are currently collecting donations and developing sponsorships for the league, with more updates expected after the start of 2026. The organization also announced it will again partner with the Washington Nationals Baseball Club’s Team Up Program. Opening Day for the 2026 Spring Miracle League season is Saturday, April 11, with two games each Saturday—8:45 to 9:45 a.m. and 10 to 11 a.m.—through May 16. Player registration begins in December.

Manassas Park

Free Carriage Rides Return to Signal Hill Park This November

By Uriah Kiser

Published November 10, 2025 at 8:30PM

[Photo: Manassas Park Parks and Recreation]

Guests can sip on coffee, hot chocolate, and enjoy pastries available for purchase while taking in the crisp autumn air and colorful foliage around the park. The free rides will be held at Signal Hill Park in Manassas Park.

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Features

Virginia State Parks Launch Ranger Conservation Corps Internship Program

By Uriah Kiser

Published November 6, 2025 at 1:56PM

Life in the Dark: Widewater State Park (via Tour Stafford VA)

“This program is an investment in the future of Virginia State Parks and in the people who will carry forward our commitment to conservation, recreation and education,” Virginia State Parks Director Dr. Melissa Baker said. “Ranger Conservation Corps will prepare the next generation of leaders while positively benefiting our parks and visitors.”

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and Virginia State Parks announced the creation of the Ranger Conservation Corps (RCC), a new internship program designed to build career pathways in outdoor recreation and conservation while strengthening park operations across the commonwealth. The program combines elements from past successful initiatives — the Virginia Service and Conservation Corps and the Park Ranger Career Development Program — offering immersive, hands-on training across multiple park operations and career tracks.

Prince William

Ribbon Cutting Set for Rollins Ford Park Pump Track in Nokesville

By Uriah Kiser

Published November 5, 2025 at 12:28PM

[Photo: Prince Willam County Government]

“Join us in celebrating the opening of our new pump track,” Prince William County Parks, Recreation & Tourism announced. “Drinks and donuts for early birds! See you out there.”

Brentsville District Supervisor Tom Gordy previously said the long-discussed project “is going to provide a completely different type of recreational activity for the Brentsville District specifically, but for Prince William as a whole.”

Features

Prince William County launches first-ever Rippon Lodge Gingerbread House Contest

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 30, 2025 at 4:30PM

“Do you want to show off your gingerbread architect skills?” the Prince William Office of Historic Preservation announced. “Enter the First Annual Rippon Lodge Gingerbread House Contest and celebrate the holidays by creating a gingerbread masterpiece for all to see.”

The contest features Amateur, Family, and Professional categories, with winners chosen by popular vote. Entry forms are due by December 5, and houses must be dropped off at Rippon Lodge by December 8 for display during the Holidays Through the Ages event. Winners will be announced December 12, and entry is free.

Prince William

Prince William County invites residents to help shape future of local trails

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 29, 2025 at 10:40PM

Occoquan Greenway Bridge Offers New Trail Connection for Pedestrians and Bicyclists [Photo: Prince William County Parks and Rec]

The meeting will be held Wednesday, November 5, from 7–9 p.m. at the Pat White Center at Ben Lomond, located at 10501 Copeland Drive, Manassas. The Countywide Trails Master Plan aims to expand and connect Prince William County’s trail systems to support recreation, transportation, and community engagement.

Prince William

Prince William Supervisors approve $113M bond package for parks, homeless Centers, and courts

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 24, 2025 at 2:00PM

The James McCoart Building at the Prince William County Government Center. [Photo by Uriah Kiser/Potomac Local News]

Prince William County supervisors signed off on more than $113 million in bond sales Tuesday to fund a slate of new parks, sidewalks, homeless navigation centers, and public safety projects across the county.

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Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg Names Jennifer Casarotti as New Parks, Recreation and Events Director

By Press Release

Published September 23, 2025 at 1:00PM

Casarotti

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – The City of Fredericksburg is pleased to announce the appointment of Jennifer Casarotti as the new Director of Parks, Recreation, and Events (FPRE). Casarotti brings over 20 years of diverse experience in parks and recreation leadership at both the local and federal levels.

As Parks, Recreation, and Events Director, Casarotti oversees the City’s parks, facilities, programs, and community events. She leads strategic planning, budgeting, and capital projects while guiding staff to provide high-quality, inclusive recreational services that enrich community life in Fredericksburg.

Stafford

Autumn Ridge HOA Asks County to Take 3 Acres for Park, Dog Park Potential

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 23, 2025 at 10:00AM

Stafford supervisors will study whether to accept three acres of land from the Autumn Ridge Homeowners Association that could expand Autumn Ridge Park and make way for new amenities, including a long-sought dog park.

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Prince William

Brentsville’s Getting a Pump Track—First of Its Kind in Prince William

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 18, 2025 at 10:00AM | Updated September 18, 2025 at 4:07PM

[Photo: Prince Willam County Government]

NOKESVILLE, Va. – Brentsville District Supervisor Tom Gordy says a long-discussed project at Rollins Ford Park is finally moving forward, and it’s unlike anything else in Prince William County.

On a recent podcast interview, Gordy explained the basics of the new asphalt pump track approved last week by the Board of County Supervisors. “I’ll say right up front, I’m not an expert on pump tracks. I’ve never been on a pump track,” Gordy said. “But as I understand it, it is a track for bicycles… just by the sheer use of gravity and force by pumping your bike, it allows you to get airborne and do flips and do some exciting things. So this is going to provide a completely different type of recreational activity for the Brentsville District specifically, but for Prince William as a whole.”