Today is a rainy Friday, one of the few rainy days we’ve had in over a month. The persistent rain has led to several closures and delays in the area.

Due to the forecasted rain, the Doris E. Buffett pool in Fredericksburg will be closed today. In Manassas, Stonewall Park Pool will have a delayed opening today at 1 p.m., weather permitting.

Signal Bay Waterpark is closed today in Manassas Park.

Tonight, the FredNats are scheduled to play against the Carolina Mudcats at 7:05 p.m. at the FredNats stadium. It is Fireworks Friday, and the community is waiting to see if the game will proceed or will be rained out.

As we told you yesterday, the Fredericksburg Area Museum canceled its outdoor concert tonight.

Looking ahead to Saturday, July 13, 2024, Manassas will have a delayed pool opening. The Stonewall Park Pool will open at 2 p.m. due to a swim meet and will remain open until 7 p.m., weather permitting.

Is the rain being a summer bummer for your plans? Tell us in the comments. And let us know if you have closure or a delay due to the weather.

Weather Forecast

Today: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm with a high near 81. Northeast wind 3 to 5 mph. The chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three-quarters of an inch are possible.

Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms are likely, mainly before 1 am. Patchy fog before 1 am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy with a low around 73. Light and variable wind. The chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch are possible.

Saturday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms after 8 am. Partly sunny with a high near 90. Light and variable wind. The chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 pm. Partly cloudy with a low around 73. Calm wind. The chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday: Sunny and hot with a high near 97. Light southwest wind.

On Tuesday, the Prince William Board of County Supervisors approved a $16 million land purchase in Woodbridge. The discussion centered on the property at 13505 Telegraph Road, located just off Interstate 95. The county had planned to build a large indoor track and recreational facility on the land to serve the Washington, D.C., region and travel teams from the East Coast. However, the county will not proceed with that plan, at least for now. Coles District Supervisor Yesli Vega raised concerns about the transparency of the issue, noting that the support for a track facility was not unanimous initially but has now been described as a "possible" facility in the resolution. Vega questioned whether the land purchase was intended for this purpose. Chair At-large DeShundra Jefferson clarified that the discussion was solely about purchasing the land and that a public forum was necessary before deciding its use. Despite this, Vega continued to challenge the resolution language. In an interview, Jefferson told Potomac Local she's uncomfortable with the annual operating costs, which could top over $4 million. Jefferson cited the need for private investment, potentially creating a public-private partnership. Weir strongly opposed the proposal, describing it as ill-conceived, and criticized the expenditure as "throwing more good money after bad." Weir voiced discomfort with what he termed "land speculation" at this level and disapproved of the timing of the 150-day study completed at the end of the previous board's term. Occoquan District Supervisor Kenny Boddye defended the project, emphasizing its significance to the district. He highlighted its proximity to high-end retail, commuter parking, HOV lanes, and a potential transit hub, asserting that land acquisition is crucial to securing the county’s vision.

The proposal for the indoor track complex dates back to 2018. It aims to establish the first indoor sports facility in the region on two levels with a mezzanine, a hydraulic bank track, 20 pickleball courts, and ample seating. There would be room for 3,500 during sporting events and 6,800 seats that could be used for high school graduations.

In addition, the facility, at 13505 Telegraph Road, could host trade shows, expos, and community events, county staff told supervisors during a presentation in May 2024. Officials have emphasized that the facility would spur new retail and restaurants along the Prince William Parkway/Interstate 95 corridor in Woodbridge, more overnight hotel stays, and increased local sales tax collection by $1.5 million.

Fredericksburg’s Department of Parks, Recreation, and Events invites residents to celebrate the Longest Day of Play on June 20, offering various free or discounted recreational activities. Organized by the Virginia Recreation & Park Society, this event promotes the importance of play for all ages and abilities, featuring activities such as free fishing, sunrise yoga, and a cookout.

More from Fredericksburg Department of Parks, Recreation:

The City of Fredericksburg Department of Parks, Recreation and Events (FPRE) invites all City of Fredericksburg residents to celebrate the Longest Day of Play on Thursday, June 20, and discover all that’s offered right here within our community. Organized by the Virginia Recreation & Park Society (VRPS), Play All Day VA, aims to promote the importance of PLAY for all ages, abilities and interests through local parks and free or discounted recreational programming.

Celebrated on the summer solstice (the longest day of the year), Play All Day VA is an opportunity for everyone to get out and discover all that FPRE offers throughout the community. To celebrate, FPRE encourages everyone to come explore new parks or try a new activity. Some scheduled activities include:
• Free fishing, boat launches, and extended hours at Motts Run Reservoir • Sunrise yoga at Riverfront Park
• Preschool Adventure Play at Snowden Park
• Mini Market at Hurkamp Park
• Play All Day Cook Out at Snowden Park
For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/410804921977313.
Community members also can participate by doing the following:
• Take a selfie in one of our parks and tag us on social media. Use #PlayAllDayVA and #FredParksRec
• Enjoy a family picnic at Alum Spring, Riverfront Park, Old Mill Park, or Memorial Park • Take a walk along the Heritage Trail and enjoy our StoryWalk®

Parks and recreation departments statewide offer year-round opportunities for families and individuals to explore, play, and engage in activities that promote health and wellness.

“Living close to parks and other recreation facilities is consistently related to higher physical activity levels and park usage for other health benefits for both adults and youth” (NRPA.org).

For more information on Play All Day and other Fredericksburg Parks, Recreation and Events programs, visit FXBGParks.com or call the Dorothy Hart Community Center at (540) 372-1086.

It's becoming clearer that Prince William County taxpayers will be the owners of 22 acres next to Interstate 95 in Woodbridge.

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The 4th Annual Prince William County 5K Walk for Mental Health Awareness is scheduled for Saturday, May 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Locust Shade Park, Triangle.

The event aims to educate, advocate, and dispel myths about mental illness. Participants will walk on grassy, gravel, and paved paths, with both rigorous and easy routes available.

The event will feature community programs, music, food trucks, and speakers Shanita Nolan and Lisa Madron. Sponsors include the Boys & Girls Club, Mike Garcia Construction Inc., and Potomac Health Foundation.

Registration is online. 

Fredericksburg hosts Picnic in the Park every Tuesday from May 7 through June 25, 2024, between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at Kenmore Park, 1101 Kenmore Ave, Fredericksburg. The event features live music and is open to the public at no charge.

Attendees can bring their own picnic lunches or purchase food from vendors on-site. This series has been a local tradition since 1997 and is organized by Fredericksburg Parks, Recreation & Events, supported by sponsors.

Virginia Department of Conservation & Recreation: Mason Neck State Park will host the 26th Annual Eagle Festival on May 11 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Park staff along with many exhibitors will be on the visitor center lawn for a full day of animal shows, hands-on activities, and outdoor recreation clinics that aim to highlight the rich natural history of Northern Virginia as well as foster stewardship of our environment.

“Guests will be able to see animals such as hawks and owls up close as well as learn about the majestic bald eagles, with the hopes of seeing one in flight during the event,” said Mason Neck State Park Chief Ranger Jamie Leeuwrik,

Parking for the event this year will be located offsite at Pohick Bay Regional Park at the Pirate’s Cove Waterpark. Shuttles will be provided to and from the festival at Mason Neck State Park and will run about every 15-20 minutes from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

The family-friendly event is free and will include a variety of food vendors, musical performances, and a puppet show.

“Caroline Seitz, the star of Kids Nature Shows, puts on such a fun and interactive show for kids and adults to experience the animals they might see at the park,” said Leeuwrik. “There will be a musical performance at 11 a.m. and another at 1:45 p.m. Eagle Festival is a great way to bring together the local community for programs and activities all in the name of conservation and preservation.”

Almost 60 years ago, Elizabeth Hartwell led a successful grassroots effort to preserve more than 5,000 acres of wetland habitats on the Mason Neck Peninsula in Fairfax County. Today her legacy lives on – especially through the annual Eagle Festival at Mason Neck State Park.

This event celebrates the decades of conservation work that has taken place on the Mason Neck Peninsula. Had it not been for the work done by individuals like Hartwell, nicknamed “The Eagle Lady” and for whom the Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge is named, the area would look drastically different than it does today.

Stafford County could get a new skate park at St. Clair Brooks Memorial Park, 80 Butler Road in Falmouth.

The skateboard park at St. Clair Brooks Park must be replaced due to age and safety issues. The Board of Supervisors recognized the need to replace the skateboard park and approved Capital Improvement Funds (CIP).

We most recently reported on an effort to improve the skate park in February.

The Department of Parks, Recreation, Facilities, and Tourism (PRFT) took over the operation and maintenance of St. Clair Brooks Memorial Park in 2007. At that time, the condition of the skatepark was poor. Over the years, the skateboard park has been repaired numerous times and rebuilt as much as possible. According to county documents, unsafe portions have been and continue to be removed as necessary.

The bid process has been completed, resulting in Anike Group, Inc., from Chesapeake, Virginia, submitting a responsive bid of $489,000. Due to the contractor’s workload, construction would begin in the fall, with completion expected in late Fall 2024. The county received Only one responsive and responsible bid it called “responsive and responsible,” which was submitted by Anike Group Incorporated.

The Board approved CIP funds for $470,000 for this project. Due to design costs, the\ remaining balance of the project is $429,625. For this project to proceed, an additional appropriation of $112,271 is needed: $63,371 for construction and $48,900 for contingency (10% of the contract
amount).

Sorry, skaters, the county didn’t include information on improving the skate park. We’ll pass along those details once we have them.