Stafford County has appointed Eugene Loew as its new Director of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, bringing over two decades of experience in public recreation and leisure services. Loew joins the county from Prince William County, where he served as the Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation.
Loew’s selection follows the retirement of longtime Parks Director Brian Southall, who stepped down in January 2025 after more than 30 years of service to Stafford County. The Board of Supervisors honored Southall, recognizing his dedication and leadership across multiple county departments, including utilities and facilities management, before taking the helm of Parks and Recreation. “Brian has been a cornerstone of Stafford County, ensuring access to top-tier facilities and recreational opportunities,” Board Chairman Deontay Diggs said during the January 21st board meeting. “We thank him for his incredible contributions and wish him the best in his well-deserved retirement.”
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or create a FREE account today. Make the smart choice for staying informed about your community. Thank you!
Press Release:
Stafford County is preparing to recognize individuals and organizations who have made outstanding contributions to its parks system and the character development of its youth. The annual Florence D. Helms Award recognizes those who have gone above and beyond in volunteer activities in memory of one of Stafford’s most inspiring parks volunteers, Florence Helms.
“Volunteers are the backbone of our many parks and recreational offerings,” said Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, Meg Bohmke, Falmouth District. “The Florence Helms Award recognizes those who share her dedication and loyalty to the youth of Stafford.”
Helms, a registered nurse, passed away unexpectedly in 1975 of cancer but left her mark on the youth of Stafford County. As an active member of the Parks and Recreation Commission, she was instrumental in establishing a volunteer program of medical examinations by doctors for sports programs in the area. Helms was also active in the early years of growth and development of the Stafford County Department of Parks and Recreation. This award has been given to individuals and organizations who have made outstanding contributions in recreation, education, guidance, health, or other fields in which the service contributed to the character development of the youth of Stafford County.
In keeping with the spirit of the Florence Helms Award, two annual awards may be given:
- An award in recognition of an individual for lifetime volunteer dedication and contribution toward the development of youth of Stafford County
- An award in recognition of a group/organization that has provided support and made outstanding lifetime volunteer contributions toward the development of youth of Stafford County
The criteria for selecting the winner include: years of volunteer service (20 years minimum), degree of dedication, fruits of accomplishments, and degree of interest and concern for the youth with whom the candidate/organization has been associated.
To be eligible for consideration, completed nomination forms must be returned to the Stafford County Department of Parks and Recreation office no later than January 31, 2025. Please visit www.staffordparks.com or call 540-658-5181 to obtain a nomination packet. Nominations may be submitted digitally at www.staffordcountyva.gov/florencehelmsaward.
Stafford County Parks, Recreation and Tourism is hosting its annual Candy Cane Hunt on Government Island on December 14. The family-friendly event runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and registration is required in order to receive the activities bag, which contains the scavenger hunt information.
Giant candy canes will be hidden in the woods throughout the island. Participants can use a scavenger hunt map provided by Stafford Tourism to mark off their finds.
Stafford’s Community Engagement Program Manager Shannon Eubanks said the event began in 2018, when staff created the event as a way to promote health and wellness in one of Stafford’s parks in a fun hiking activity. There are seven sessions throughout the day, and each one lasts one hour. Stafford County employees will be on-site to assist the activities.
Registration is available online at the Stafford County Parks and Recreation website. The hunt is $11 per person, ages 3 to 15. As of December 6, several sessions have sold out.
Government Island is located at 191 Coal Landing Road. The 17-acre park is a historic 18th and 19th-century quarry site provided Aquia sandstone for the construction of the U.S. Capitol and the White House and other historic buildings in Washington, D.C.
