The Charlie Boone Memorial Park will feature a memorial bike and skate park at the intersection of Old Bridge and Smoketown roads in Lake Ridge.
- The group that wants to build the park, the Charlie Boone Trails Memorial Foundation, is working toward creating a family-friendly park for recreational BMX biking, skating and other outdoor activities in Lake Ridge.
The idea for the park was influenced by Charlie Boone, a Prince William County resident who died at age 22 in 2012. Boone enjoyed riding BMX bikes and skating, and found solace in the local BMX and skating community.
A year following his passing, Boone’s mother, Wendy Boone learned that her son’s favorite spot to ride BMX was being sold, and the privately-owned land would now be subject to trespassing.
- This left local riders with no safe, public space to hone their skills, said Boone Remembering the joy that her son found on those trails inspired his family to want to create a place for other riders and their families to go to.
The 5.5-acre park will feature dirt jumps and a cement structure for riding BMX bikes and skateboards and will also be surrounded by a walking trail, as well as public seating areas.
- It will be the only skatepark in Lake Ridge if it’s built.
Members of the Prince William County Planning Commissioner were supposed to hear the case on Oct. 2, but it was deferred from the meeting agenda.
- Prior to the meeting, the Prince William County Planning office received an email from the county’s parks and recreation department requesting the commission defer the case to allow additional time to finalize a Memorandum of Understanding between the foundation and the county.
- The land that will be used for the park is county-owned land, and the two groups are hammering out the details of how the park will be maintained after the new park is open.
Parks and recreation will bring the MOU to the Board of County Supervisors to review during its closed-session meeting on November 19.
If the Board of County Supervisors gives the go-ahead, the Planning Commission’s review of the Charlie Boone Memorial Park will be scheduled for a public hearing on December 18.
- Residents will be able to attend and comment on the plans for the park.
With county approval, Boone says that they are aiming to start developing the park in the spring, and expect construction to take upward of a year to complete.
- The foundation is continuing to raise funds to build the park, as well as gather volunteers to help with the project. The foundation does not currently have a projected opening date for the park.
- Boone says that the foundation is working with Pillar Design Studios to design the memorial skatepark.
Recent Stories
ARTfactory and Birmingham Green made headlines in Manassas this week. ARTfactory’s Rooftop Productions, now Actors Theatre, won seven awards at the 2024 DC Broadway World Awards, including Best Musical for Kinky Boots and Best Choreography for The Rocky Horror Show. ARTfactory’s Pied Piper Theatre also earned recognition, winning Best Theatre for Young Audiences for its production of The Wizard of Oz.
Meanwhile, Birmingham Green, ranked as Northern Virginia’s top nursing home by Newsweek Magazine, announced Duane Smith as its new Nursing Home Administrator, effective December 30, 2024. Smith brings extensive experience from senior living leadership roles across multiple states and holds several professional qualifications. Birmingham Green continues its 90-year mission of providing quality long-term care to Northern Virginians in need.
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Should Virginia ditch the longstanding practice of electing the General Assembly and the governor in odd year elections?
The first odd year election in Virginia was in 1851, after a new state Constitution was approved and members of the House were elected to a two-year term. Before that, members of the House had one-year terms, and voters selected members every single year.
Now, Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell says modern day voters are sick and tired of voting every year.
A Manassas man was sentenced today to 18 years in prison for providing drugs and alcohol to a child in exchange for sex acts and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) depicting the same victim as well as other children.
According to court documents, Olajide Benjamin Ayilaran, 24, met a 14-year-old girl during the summer of 2023 and began communicating with the victim via iMessage. In the messages, Ayilaran offered to provide the victim drugs, alcohol, and nicotine products in exchange for sex acts. Between at least Nov. 21, 2023, and Feb. 29, 2024, Ayilaran met the victim nine times, usually in the morning before the victim went to school, to exchange the products for sexual acts. Ayilaran would wait for the victim in his car in a nearby park. When the victim arrived, he gave her the drugs and alcohol and then had the victim perform sex acts on him in the car.
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:
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra,
this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
