Stafford leaders discuss closing Historic Port of Falmouth Park

FALMOUTH — The Historic Port of Falmouth Park sits in a flood plain.

About a year ago, it was a disaster area after multiple large floods inundated the area with water and debris, flowing into nearby homes, and for weeks-long cleanup efforts.

When not flooded, the beach at the park a popular spot for people to lay out in the sun, and use to venture into the turbulent Rappahannock River, where visitors swim at their own risks.

With Memorial Day right around the corner and the park nearly cleared of all of last year’s debris, Stafford County officials are debating whether to reopen the park.

“We shouldn’t open it at all,” said Garrisonville District Supervisor Mark Dudenehfer.

With the cost of $25,000 per summer season to operate the park, and with multiple 911 calls each year for swimmers in distress, Dudenhefer says the area is better dormant than for use as a public park.

Stafford County picked up the operation of the park more than 10 years ago, after a parks partnership with Fredericksburg dissolved.

Supervisors on Tuesday agreed that, if the park floods again as it did last year, the county wouldn’t spend additional funds to clean it up.

But supporters of the park say it should be left open for passive use, as one of the county’s walking trails runs through the park. Some also advocate the park to be used for fishing.

“When we created this park, we took a flood plain and wanted to provide an amenity without the consideration of what we would do in the event is actually flooded,” said Aquia District Supervisor Cindy Shelton.

George Washington District Supervisor Tom Coen said he’ll hold a roundtable discussion on May 29 with constituents, asking them what they want to have done with the park in their district.

Falmouth District Supervisor Meg Bohmke said that, despite all of the “swim at your own risk” signs posted along the shore, the river is just too dangerous to swim in.

“You can put no swimming signs up until the cows come home,” added Griffis-Widewater District Supervisor Jack Cavalier. “But there’s nothing you can do to stop swimmers.”

Directly across the Rappahannock River from Historic Port of Falmouth Park lies River Mill Park in Fredericksburg. County officials said it’s likely that if the Falmouth park was closed, people would still enter the water from the Fredericksburg shoreline.

Officials plan to bring the issue to a public hearing before the Stafford County Board of Supervisors in June.

The park is located at 401 River Road in Falmouth.

Video from last year’s flooding: