Curtis Park in Stafford is turning 40

One of Stafford’s most beautiful and most beloved parks is getting ready for a big party, and County officials invite everyone to blow out the candles on 40 years of fun, sun and service!

All Stafford citizens are invited to Curtis Memorial Park for its 40^th birthday celebration on Saturday, June 20, 2015. The 1970s-themed party will feature disco music, kids’ activities, and lots of opportunities to take a dip in the park’s Olympic-sized swimming pool and zero depth entry wading or tot pool. The first 100 guests will receive a free hot dog and birthday cake will be served. There will also be plenty of pool games, arts and crafts, a shark-themed moon bounce, and a visit by Jaws the Shark, in honor of the 1975 movie. The party starts at 1:00 p.m. and goes until 4:00 p.m.

“Almost everyone who has ever gone to Stafford County schools in the last 40 years has probably been to Curtis Park,” said Chairman of the Stafford Board of Supervisors Gary Snellings. “It has been host to many high school graduation celebrations, swim team practices, swim lessons, and family picnics. Curtis Park has served Stafford County long and well.”

Curtis Park opened in June 1975. Part of the land for the park – 100 acres – was donated to the County by the heirs of Jesse L.B. Curtis, who wanted his farmland used for recreational purposes. The family also offered the remaining 400 acres of their property to the county for the park; the land was purchased with a combination of county, state and federal funds.

In 2014, renovations to the Curtis Park pool were completed. New tiles were installed in the Olympic-size main pool and in the wading pool. Repairs to the deck surrounding both pools were also completed and a new handicapped access ramp was installed. In addition, many other “behind the scene” improvements were completed including new pool filters, pumps and valves to enhance the pool’s operation. The renovations, which cost $1.1 million, were paid for with funds from the voter-approved Parks and Bond Recreation Bond Referendum that was passed in 2009.  This year, improvements were made to the bath house that supports the pool to include new flooring, showers and other restroom amenities.

In addition to the pool, Curtis Park features multiple nature trails, tennis courts, a skateboarding park, volleyball court,  pavilions with picnic tables, electricity and adjacent restrooms, sports fields, fishing lake, 18-hole golf course, and a concessions stand. Curtis Park is open from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. during the summer. It is located at 58 Jesse Curtis Lane, Stafford, Virginia 22406.For more information, visitwww.staffordparks.com.