Starting June 15, Prince William County Parks, Recreation & Tourism invited the community to participate in a wildlife photo contest.
The list of categories you can submit your work in includes:
- Birds
- Mammals
- Baby Animals (young of any species)
- Other Wildlife (underwater life, reptiles, amphibians, insects, spiders, macro and more)
- Young Photographers (ages 7-17)
Contest rules and eligibility can be found online.
The deadline to submit photos is July 31, 2023, and the winner will be announced on August 18.
Winners will receive the following:
- A PWC Prize Pack full of park goodies
- Free Mini Golf & Paddle Boat Passes
- Recognition on PWC Parks social media
- Recognition in Park Bench
As of June 27, there have been 30 entries, apply today and upload your pictures to win.
There are 30 entires in the contest so far, according to a county parks department spokeswoman.
Editor’s note: Meeting reporter Natalie Villalobos documented this meeting. Her notes were used to produce this story. Click here and learn more about becoming a meeting reporter and covering our local news.
The Prince William County Government is working to reduce the total number of pollutants and sediment that winds up in the Chesapeake Bay.
The Board of County Supervisors was briefed on the county's watershed plan during its meeting on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. The plan calls for restoring area streams and improving stormwater retention.
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Prince William County Government: “Perfekt Blend is the next act slated for the Fridays at 5 Concert series, which is scheduled for this Friday, June 16, at the Sean T. Connaughton Plaza at the McCoart Government Center, 1 County Complex Court in Woodbridge.”
“Jaynel Jones, founder and lead singer with Perfekt Blend, said the band will bring something for everyone to enjoy.”
“It’s going to be everything. We’re going to have rock. We’re going to have R&B. We’re going to do hip hop. We’re going to do pop. We’re going to do some Disney. We’re going to have something for everybody. All ages are going to enjoy our set,” said Jones who is returning to the plaza with Perfekt Blend for the second time. “Fridays at 5 is family friendly. We want to ensure that the kids have something they can sing along to and dance to as well.”
Press release: For visitor safety during a wastewater system improvement project, Prince William Forest Park will close the orienteering course from June 20 through October 27. The project will cause periodic closures at Turkey Run Ridge Group Campground, and many of the points on the course are in or adjacent to the campground – including the starting point. Due to heavy equipment operation and excavation occurring in the area, the park has decided to close the orienteering course while work is ongoing.
“Parking will still be available in a limited capacity at the Turkey Run day-use area while the work is ongoing, though visitors are encouraged to use caution and follow all closures in the area. While visitors will still be able to access Turkey Run Ridge Trail from the day-use area, access to the Little Run Trail loops, Old Blacktop Road, and Mary Bird Branch Trail from the Turkey Run day-use area may be closed periodically due to the infrastructure work. These trails are still accessible from other parking areas in the park such as Parking Lot E, Parking Lot F, and Parking Lot H.”
“Based on this past year’s visitor numbers, we generally have anywhere around 100 to 200 people use the orienteering course each month.”
Stafford County leaders will discuss the future of Musselman Park on Tuesday, June 6, 2023.
The supervisors will hold their monthly Community and Economic Development meeting to discuss a proposed $6.3 million plan to build a new park at the corner of Enon and Truslow roads near England Run.
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Prince William County Parks and Recreation Department: “This morning [Saturday, June 3, 2023], community members, area disc golfers, volunteers, staff, and leaders from both Prince William County Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, and NOVA Disc Golf Association who were involved with making the new disc golf course a reality, gathered for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Forest Valley Disc Golf course. The new 18-hole course, lauded to be “the best woods course” in the area and perhaps the Mid-Atlantic, is located at Forest Greens Golf Club in Triangle, Virginia.”
“I am so excited that this day is here! I’ve got disc golf in my district, and I am so excited about that,” said Potomac District Supervisor Andrea O. Bailey. “It is so important—the exercise, the recreation for the body, for the mind, for the spirit. And this will also open the world for more people to learn about disc golf.”
Northern Virginia Disc Golf Association: “Disc golf – or Frisbee golf – is played much like traditional golf. Players attempt to land a disc inside a special target in the fewest number of throws. Just like golf, you ‘play it as it lies.’ Discs vary like golf clubs vary: there are long drivers, fairway drivers, midranges, and putt/approach shapes.”
Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources: "If you’ve always wanted to try fishing, now is your chance! You may fish without a license again this year during the first weekend in June. Take advantage of the free fishing days, June 2-4, and enjoy the great outdoors with your family and friends without having to spend money for a fishing license."
"Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) will be hosting the following events during Free Fishing Days weekend. Agency staff and volunteers will be on site with rods & reels, terminal tackle, and bait, ready to instruct you on how to fish. Events are free and no registration is required. If you’re interested in learning how to fish, you can attend an event with family and friends at one of the following locations:
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Prince William County Government press release: “THE TRIBE BAND, billed on the band’s website as an “Old School/New School Party Band,” will bring an eclectic show to the Sean T. Connaughton Plaza at the McCoart Government Center on June 2 for the Fridays at 5 Concert series. The concert starts at 5 p.m.”
“Believe it or not, we started off as a gospel group. We kind of started adding Motown and R&B, soul, funk, some smooth jazz and GoGo to the repertoire,” said Larry Simpson, percussionist and founder of the band that includes drum, a saxophone, keyboards, bass and lead guitars, along with vocals. “We try to give them a little bit of everything.”
Simpson said he hopes the band’s music moves people in every sense of the word.
“We hope we just bring back a lot of memories because a lot of people say that they grew up on this music. We bring a good vibe – something to get them up on the dance floor and feel good. We play feel good music. It’s something that can reach a soul,” Simpson said.
The Washington D.C.-based band is making its second appearance at the plaza.
“It was a nice crowd, nice venue, nice set up,” Simpson said. “We’re excited about it. We enjoyed last year and were thankful that they invited us back. We’re looking to have a good time.”
“The Fridays at 5 concert series, sponsored by the Prince William Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, VaStrEATs and Luxe Entertainment, are held at the Sean T. Connaughton Plaza located at the McCoart Government Center, 1 County Complex Court in Woodbridge. The concert series includes food for purchase with beer and wine sales for patrons over 21 with identification. No dogs, except service dogs, will be permitted at the concert. Restrooms will be available inside the McCoart Government Center. Onsite parking is free.”
A new disc golf course will open at Forest Greens Golf Club, 4500 Poa Annua Lane in Triangle, near Quantico.
Prince William County Parks and Recreation Officials announced a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new facility at 1 p.m. 9 a.m. Saturday, June 3, 2023.
