WOODBRIDGE, Va. — Prince William has a new Department of Parks and Recreation after officials voted Tuesday to merge county government with the Prince William County Park Authority – an independent corporation in continuous existence since 1977.
The merger puts control of all 67 properties owned by the Authority in the hands of the county government, under the leadership of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors. The independent parks board will now be merged with the county to become a Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.
The merger is expected to be complete by July 1 and is not expected to cost the county any additional funds than what has already been budgeted for parks and recreation services over the next year. Currently, county parks in Prince William generate 44 percent of their revenue through user fees, according to county documents.
Employees of former Park Authority – the largest employer of youth in Prince William County through a summer jobs program – will all become county government employees.
Apparently, some Park Authority employees were concerned they would lose their jobs, prompting County Executive Melissa Peacor to address the matter before the Board of Supervisors’ voted unanimously to approve the merger.
“The efficacies that we will gain are synergies… we both have fleet operations, however, they take of mostly equipment, we take care of mostly vehicles. Perhaps there’s an opportunity for them to do all of the equipment and we do all the vehicles and we get work done more quickly,” said Peacor. “They are hiring hundreds and hundreds of folks for the summer. They need their [human resources] people. We have four folks who folks for the county, and they can’t take on their work for the Park Authority. So I think there was some worry in the beginning that some folks would lose their jobs…but we don’t see a major ability to cut jobs because they become a department.”
Representatives with the Prince William Trails and Streams Coalition and the Arts Council, groups that have close working relationships with the Park Authority, urged Supervisors to maintain those relations as the members of the new Parks Department are put in place.
Recent Stories
Experience a magical evening at the Embassy of France with A Night on the Riviera, an event that will transport you to the glamour of the French Riviera while celebrating the vibrant spirit of Mardi Gras!
Indulge in an exquisite selection of French wines and champagne, paired with the finest French cuisine prepared by the talented Chef of the Embassy of France. Additionally, Chef Hugh Cossard will be carving ham live, ensuring freshness and exceptional flavor. Don’t miss out on the authentic French crêpes, made to order and sure to transport you straight to the streets of Nice.
Are you curious about guitars? Do you wonder what it feels like to hold a violin? How big is a flute? The experts from Dale City Music will be here with an assortment of musical instruments for you to touch, hold, and learn about.
Prince William County Animal Services Center is working to reunite lost pets with their owners. Between February 7 and February 10, 2025, several stray animals were turned into the shelter. In an effort to assist pet owners, the center posts photos of strays on its social media pages a few times each week.
However, the center does not respond to questions about specific animals via Facebook. If you believe your pet may be at the shelter, you should contact them directly by calling (703) 792-6465, emailing [email protected], or visiting the center in person.
As another significant snowstorm blankets Stafford County with over six inches of snow on February 11, 2025, local officials grapple with the Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT) depleted snow removal budget, which was exhausted by a previous winter storm on January 5–6.
During a Stafford County Board of Supervisors meeting on February 6, 2025, VDOT Residency Administrator Kyle Bates warned about the agency’s financial limitations.
“That money is gone. It’s gone. Our snow budget was that one storm,” Bates said.
A Night on the Riviera
Experience a magical evening at the Embassy of France with A Night on the Riviera, an event that will transport you to the glamour of the French Riviera while celebrating the vibrant spirit of Mardi Gras!
Indulge in an exquisite selection of French wines and champagne, paired with the finest French cuisine prepared by the talented Chef of the Embassy of France. Additionally, Chef Hugh Cossard will be carving ham live, ensuring freshness and exceptional flavor. Don’t miss out on the authentic French crêpes, made to order and sure to transport you straight to the streets of Nice.
For those seeking an extra touch of exclusivity, the VIP experience includes unlimited champagne, adding an extra layer of sophistication to this festive celebration.
Travel to French soil and join us for a night filled with two of the most beloved French traditions—no plane ticket required! ?
On January 25th, we invite you to experience the magic of Galette des Rois, a 700-year-old tradition celebrated across France throughout the entire month of January (and even beyond!). This sweet, almond-filled puff pastry topped with a golden crown isn’t just a treat—it’s a celebration! The lucky person who finds the fève (a porcelain charm hidden in one of the slices) becomes the King or Queen for the Day, and don’t worry—there will be plenty of royalty to go around! ??
But that’s not all! In France, Les Voeux (New Year’s wishes) continue throughout January, often accompanied by Champagne and good cheer. We’re bringing that festive spirit to you, with a lively evening packed with French food, wine, and music.
What’s in store:
(Webinar) Diet & Dementia: Brain-Healthy Tips to Reduce Your Risk…
Did you know that your food choices can impact your risk of developing dementia?
Kick off National Nutrition Month with an educational discussion on Wednesday, March 5 at 12 PM EST with Sunday Health dementia neurologist Dr. Sara Doyle and
