Green grass to gun ranges: What residents want to see at Prince William parks in the next 10 years

WOODBRIDGE — What do you want to see more of in Prince William County parks?

That was the question posed to a room of more than 100 people who turned out for a public meeting held by the county’s parks and recreation department on January 25 at the county government center.

“We really need more access to bike paths,” said Brian Blankenship. “We need trails to trails. It’s beyond me how connected the trail system in Fairfax County is, and how it’s not in Prince William County.”

Finding more open space was top of mind for many who attended the forum. Electronic voting machines were used by audience members to weigh in on what new programs and amenities are needed at the parks — from bow hunting to food trucks.

In addition to more trails and open, “passive” spaces without particular uses, residents said they wanted to pickleball (a sport that combines elements of tennis, table tennis, and badminton) courses and more restrooms at parks.

There were also more calls for community gardens, camping, a shooting range on which to teach guns safety, and outdoor adventure course, and BMX programs.

And, of course, the million-dollar question: How are we going to pay for it all?

“We’re hallucinating if we think we’re going to get more parkland unless we pay for it ourselves,” said Clancy McQuigg, of Occoquan.

A prominent member of the Prince William Committee of 100, McQuigg told the crowd funds from the state level for parks are scarce. However, the county’s parks and rec department is taking its needs assessment survey ahead of discussion by the Board of Supervisors which is poised to advocate this year for a parks and roads bond that could top nearly $1 billion.

The exact projects — parks roads — that bond would go to fund still need to be hashed out.

Meanwhile, it’s possible the Park and Recreation Commission could review the fees it charges at some parks, said Parks and Recreation Commission Chairman Jane Beyer. Half of the park and recreation department’s budget comes from the Board of Supervisors in the annual budget, while the other half is generated by user fees paid by those who use the parks.

“I don’t know where the money is coming from, but we need to improve our existing stuff before we get new stuff,” said one woman during the forum. “If we have to increase taxes on plastic bags at grocery stores, lets do it.”

The January 25 forum was the second in a series of forums designed to address parks needs over the next 10 years. The first was held on Oct. 6, 2018.

Prince William County operates 55 developed parks and facilities, spanning more than 4,000 acres, that provide playgrounds, trails, marinas, fitness centers, skate parks, and sports fields.