The Marine Corps Marathon Organization (MCMO) will hold the Marine Corps 17.75K at the national park near Dumfries. Over 2,000 runners will begin running the 11-mile course at 7 a.m., with the last participant estimated to finish around 11 a.m. Marathon organizers say that significant delays should be expected between 4:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. on event day.
Pleasant Road will be closed to vehicular traffic from 5:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
The Prince William Board of County Supervisors will decide on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, whether or not data centers belong near Prince William Forest Park, the largest natural protected area near Washington, D.C. The server farms would be built on the east/north side of Dumfries Road (Route 234), east of its intersection with Independent Hill Drive.
The plan to build a data center campus on the property stirred interest and controversy within the community. If approved, it would be the first major data center project east of Manassas.
A Facebook post from Prince William Forest Park highlights the beauty of snow covering the forests in the park.
It mentions that trails are still snow-covered, while Scenic Drive and parking areas have been cleared of snow. However, caution is advised due to the remaining icy patches on the roadways.
National Park Service: “A new National Park Service report shows that 294,916 visitors to Prince William Forest Park in 2022 spent $19.1 million in communities near the park.”
“That spending supported 222 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $27 million.”
Press release: For visitor safety during a wastewater system improvement project, Prince William Forest Park will close the orienteering course from June 20 through October 27. The project will cause periodic closures at Turkey Run Ridge Group Campground, and many of the points on the course are in or adjacent to the campground – including the starting point. Due to heavy equipment operation and excavation occurring in the area, the park has decided to close the orienteering course while work is ongoing.
“Parking will still be available in a limited capacity at the Turkey Run day-use area while the work is ongoing, though visitors are encouraged to use caution and follow all closures in the area. While visitors will still be able to access Turkey Run Ridge Trail from the day-use area, access to the Little Run Trail loops, Old Blacktop Road, and Mary Bird Branch Trail from the Turkey Run day-use area may be closed periodically due to the infrastructure work. These trails are still accessible from other parking areas in the park such as Parking Lot E, Parking Lot F, and Parking Lot H.”
The National Park Service will begin improving wastewater systems at Prince William Forest Park’s campgrounds this summer.
The work will require periodic closures at Turkey Run Ridge Group Campground and Oak Ridge Campground and the extended closure of Cabin Camp 3. These improvements will ensure that Prince William Forest Park can continue to welcome visitors to these campgrounds into the future, providing a convenient and fun experience for all.
The Marine Corps Marathon Organization 17.75K will take place Saturday, March 25 at Prince William Forest Park near Dumfries, causing some road closures and delays.
Over 3,000 runners will take to the 11.03-mile course at 7 a.m., with the last participant estimated to finish about 11 a.m. Significant delays should be expected between 4:30 a.m. and noon on the day of the event.
The National Park Service plans to conduct a prescribed fire in Prince William Forest Park this month, potentially as early as March 16, depending on weather conditions. The planned fire will cover approximately 105 acres of forested areas along Scenic Drive near the Oak Ridge Campground.
This fire aims to restore ecological processes in the park and reduce hazardous fuels.
