Leaders discuss name change for Prince William Forest Park

Prince William Forest Park has a 70-year history.

Today campers, hikers, and wildlife enthusiasts flock to the park nestled between Prince William and Stafford counties, and Quantico Marine Corps Base.

The park formed in 1936 as the Chopawamsic Recrational Demonstration Area, part of President Franklin Rosevelt’s Depression-era New Deal program, the park served as a place to educate inner-city youth from Washington, D.C. about nature.

The youth camps closed during WWII, and the 15,000 acres of parkland was used to train spies under the Office of Strategic Services, known today as the CIA. Many of the buildings the OSS used are still in use today as cabins.

After the war, summer camps returned to Chopawamsic. The name was changed to Prince William Forest Park in 1948 when the National Park Service took over. Still, one of the most popular and challenging hikes in the park is located in the Chopawamsic Back Country area.

Now there is talk that the name “Prince William Forest Park” doesn’t reflect the current use or the history of the park. The park is a destination for those looking to head out on trails to explore the natural side of Northern Virginia. Last year, the World Police and Fire Games held its cycling events in the park,

“When you think of Mammoth Cave National Park or Yellowstone National Park, those are big parks with lots to see,” said Prince William Forest Park chief ranger Chris Alford.

So far this year, 55,000 people visited Prince William Forest Park. For Mammoth Cave and Yellowstone, the combined number so far this year is nearly 400,000 visitors. Alford says changing the name to Chopawamsic National Recreation Area would be a better fit, and would better reflect the types of activities that take place in the park.

He’s been discussing the potential name change with elected leaders of Congress, and those on the Prince William County Board of Supervisors. The park is federal land, so it doesn’t need permission from the county of its namesake to change the name.

“We want to make sure everyone has a say and a buy in,” said Alford. “You don’t want to anger your neighbors by not including them in the discussion.”

That conversation picked up steam in recent months.

“…any discussion of renaming the Park must be done in consultation with all stakeholders, especially the local community,” stated Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-Fairfax, Prince William) in an email.

Talk of a name change comes as the park opened a newly remodeled visitors center. The $400,000 building is part welcome center, part country store, and part museum.

“The history of this park is often the thing that is overlooked the most,” said Alford.

“Chopawamsic” is printed across the wall of the center. Underneath, exhibits show the history of the park — from OSS spy training that utilized exploded about 200 homes near the old town of Joplin abandoned when the park formed, to the old Pyrite (fools gold) mine once located on the North Fork of Quantico Creek.

Between 300 and 400 people were displaced when the Federal Government moved in to create the park.

The park will hold a Heritage Festival on Saturday, Sept. 17, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. to celebrate the centennial of the National Park Service. Prince William Forest Park will celebrate local heritage with music, craft demonstrations, kids’ activities, and antique cars. Admission to the event is free.