WOODBRIDGE, Va. — Local leaders and outdoor enthusiasts gathered at Neabsco Regional Park on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, to celebrate the grand opening of Prince William County’s first official kayak launch, a new interpretive historical marker, and expanded accessible parking.
The ceremony, held at 15125 Blackburn Road in Woodbridge, brought together elected officials, county staff, and community advocates to highlight new investments in outdoor recreation along the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail.
“These projects have been a long time in the making,” said Seth Hendler-Voss, Director of Prince William County Parks and Recreation. “This kayak launch is just a nice addition to that overall outdoor recreation experience. Over time, we hope to expand our blueway system to complement our greenway system.”
The new launch provides paddlers with direct access to scenic Neabsco Creek and the Potomac River. Although parking is currently about a five-minute walk from the site, Hendler-Voss shared that future projects will focus on improved access and even hinted at kayak rental options coming to the park.
In addition to the kayak launch, the event marked the unveiling of a historical marker chronicling the area’s legacy as a colonial port and Native American settlement. Dock pilings, visible from the shoreline, serve as a tangible reminder of that history.
Supervisor Margaret Franklin, who represents the Woodbridge District, praised the investments as part of a broader commitment to accessibility and outdoor engagement. “Whether visitors are here to kayak, walk the boardwalk, explore our rich local history, or simply take in the scenery, we want to make sure they have access to do so comfortably,” Franklin said.
The event also honored longtime advocate David Brickley, who arrived at the ceremony by kayak after a difficult 90-minute paddle from Leesylvania State Park. “This is all part of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, which goes from Pittsburgh to the Chesapeake Bay,” said Brickley. “This will be the recreational hub for the East Coast.”
Charlie Grymes, a board member of the Greater Prince William Trails Coalition, emphasized the enduring need for walking and water-access trails. “The recreation need has not been met—we need to develop more trails,” said Grymes. He advocated for expanding trail networks near residential communities in eastern Prince William County and reconnecting Dumfries to Prince William Forest Park, access severed by I-95 in the 1960s.
The total cost of the improvements is estimated at $400,000. The project was made possible through county investments and the support of advisory boards such as the Trails and Blueways Council and the Parks and Recreation Commission.
To learn more about Neabsco Regional Park, visit: www.pwcva.gov/department/neabsco-regional-park.
City leaders, residents, and local contractors gathered at Jennie Dean Park on March 14 to celebrate the grand opening of a host of new amenities at the city’s largest park. The ribbon-cutting ceremony marks the culmination of nearly a decade of planning, community engagement, and construction.
Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger addressed the crowd, reflecting on the long journey to the day’s celebration.
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A new agreement between the City of Fredericksburg and its public school system will open school gymnasiums and facilities to the public, expanding access to recreation programs for children, teens, and families.
On Tuesday night, City Council unanimously approved a shared-use agreement with Fredericksburg City Public Schools that gives the Parks, Recreation, and Events Department expanded access to school buildings, including the former Walker-Grant School, now Gladys West Elementary.
The agreement allows the city to use the facility from 4 to 10 p.m. on weekdays and weekends for programs ranging from youth athletics to teen engagement initiatives.
“This really opens up an opportunity for us to expand our programming—not only to take care of existing needs and waitlists, but also to reach different audiences, such as teens and after-school activities,” said Todd Brown, Director of Parks, Recreation, and Events.
Brown first floated the idea a year ago when speaking with city leaders. “If I just had a gym, I could do programming from 5 a.m. to midnight,” Brown said, echoing his conversation with Councilor Jannan Holmes.
Mayor Kerry P. Devine praised the agreement, calling it a “great shared use of space” that will put underutilized facilities to work during non-school hours. “It allows the facility to be used more extensively by the public in the after-school hours,” she said. “Our goal is to make sure our teens are occupied in productive ways.”
Councilor Jonathan A. Gerlach reflected on his experience with summer basketball programs and stressed how important they can be in shaping young lives. “Some of us got scholarships to play ball in college. Who knows if we would’ve gotten those opportunities without a summer program?” he said.
Vice-Mayor Charlie L. Frye, Jr. connected the agreement to broader budget concerns. “We’re making moves in the city to take care of what we need to do right now,” he said. “It shows the point that we still need a recreation facility, but this agreement helps bridge the gap.”
Councilors applauded the collaboration between the city and the school division, noting that sharing facilities is a smart way to maximize taxpayer investment without building new infrastructure.
The new Gladys West Elementary School will replace the aging Walker-Grant building as part of a facilities realignment in the city. With younger students not using the gymnasium space in the evenings, the city will now use it to benefit the broader community.
“This is a win-win for Fredericksburg,” said Holmes. “It gives our residents access to more resources and shows what’s possible when departments work together.”
Parents, mark your calendars: Stafford’s Duff McDuff Green Park's new playground will open with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 26, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. The event is open to the public.
The existing playground was wholly removed, having reached the end of its lifespan after being installed in August 2001. Shannon Eubanks, Stafford’s Community Engagement Program Manager, said the new playground was designed with inclusivity and accessibility in mind, incorporating features that cater to children of all abilities.Â
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The Stafford County Board of Supervisors will address two key issues at its upcoming meeting on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 5 p.m.: unveiling the County Administrator’s proposed FY2026 budget and the first official step toward the development of Musselman Park.
First Look at the County Administrator’s Proposed FY2026 Budget
One key item on the agenda is the presentation of the County Administrator’s proposed FY2026 operating budget. This proposal will outline funding priorities for county services, infrastructure, public safety, and education.
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Pavilion Renovation Begins March 3
Work on the pavilion will start Monday, March 3, beginning with a roof replacement. Additional improvements will follow, with a tentative completion date of April 30. The pavilion will be off-limits, and restrooms will be unavailable during construction. Three portable toilets will be installed on March 14 before athletic fields and outdoor spaces reopen on March 15.
Tennis Court Renovation Starts March 8
Work on the tennis courts will begin Saturday, March 8, starting with fence removal and asphalt milling. After new asphalt is poured, it will set for 30 days before painting and line marking. New fencing will be installed last. Safety cones and tape will mark construction zones.
Park Background and Other Parks in Manassas Park
Signal Hill Park is at 9300 Signal View Drive and includes a playground, picnic areas, trails, athletic fields, basketball courts, and Signal Bay Water Park. It was a Confederate signal station in the First Battle of Bull Run.
Other Manassas Park parks include:
- Baker Street Park – A playground and open space.
- Scott Drive Park – Open green space.
- Manassas Park Community Center – Programs and events.
- Blooms Park – 4.25 miles of trails and a Civil War encampment.
Stafford County has appointed Eugene Loew as its new Director of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, bringing over two decades of experience in public recreation and leisure services. Loew joins the county from Prince William County, where he served as the Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation.
Loew’s selection follows the retirement of longtime Parks Director Brian Southall, who stepped down in January 2025 after more than 30 years of service to Stafford County. The Board of Supervisors honored Southall, recognizing his dedication and leadership across multiple county departments, including utilities and facilities management, before taking the helm of Parks and Recreation. “Brian has been a cornerstone of Stafford County, ensuring access to top-tier facilities and recreational opportunities,” Board Chairman Deontay Diggs said during the January 21st board meeting. “We thank him for his incredible contributions and wish him the best in his well-deserved retirement.”
County Administrator Bill Ashton expressed confidence in Loew’s ability to build upon Southall’s legacy and expand Stafford’s recreational and tourism offerings.
“Eugene has the expertise and vision to lead our Parks Department in expanding recreational and tourism opportunities for our growing community,” Ashton said. “His ability to forge strategic partnerships, secure alternative funding sources, and implement innovative solutions will ensure fiscal responsibility while prioritizing engagement, accessibility, and quality of life for all Stafford residents.”
Loew emphasized his commitment to improving operations and enhancing public recreation services to benefit all residents.
“My focus will be on implementing operational improvements, optimizing our budget, and enhancing our public recreation services to ensure access for all residents,” Loew stated. “Stafford’s location on the interstate halfway between Washington, D.C., and Richmond makes it a prime destination, and I look forward to enhancing our tourism program to attract more visitors.”
A George Mason University graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Sustainability Management, Loew is also a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt holder, emphasizing his efficiency-driven leadership approach. His career includes roles in golf course and park maintenance in Fairfax County, as well as leadership positions in Dallas, Sacramento, and Prince William County.
Originally postponed due to inclement weather, the event will now occur on Thursday, March 6, 2025, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Forest Park High School Auditorium, located at 15721 Forest Park Dr., Woodbridge. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.
The annual address provides a platform for county staff to update the community on ongoing projects, upcoming developments, and how the county works to implement community goals for parks, open spaces, and historic sites. Attendees will also have the opportunity to engage with parks and recreation officials to share feedback and learn more about how they can get involved.
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Prince William County’s State of the Parks event, initially scheduled for Thursday, February 13, 2025, at Forest Park High School, has been postponed due to weather conditions and other considerations.
The State of the Parks event, set to feature insights from Prince William County Parks and Recreation Director Seth Hendler-Voss, will be rescheduled, with a new date and time to be announced soon.
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Repairs are needed across the entire structure, and park management is working diligently to complete the necessary fixes as quickly as possible.
“Most of the bracing has broken underneath, and the roof portion of the pier also has extensive damage to the pillars holding it up,” said Kenneth Ashdown, Leesylvania State Park Manager. “It is not safe for the pier to be open to the public at this time, and we hope to have this repaired as soon as possible.”
