Park Authority Given Control of Silver Lake Property

Silver Lake Park is in the hands of the Prince William County Park Authority, clearing the way for a new public recreational area in the western end of the county, after the Board of County Supervisors transferred the 230-acre property Tuesday.

The park was donated to the county in 2006 by Toll Brothers and has since sat stagnant while county officials searched for an organization to take over the land.

"I support the supervisors' bold move to save what few trees we have left in the county," Prince William resident Al Alborn said during the meeting. "We need our children to become closer to and understand nature."

Park Authority officials said they plan to have portions of the park open for trail and lake use this fall. The long-term plan for the park will be drafted through a master-planning process involving residents. The intent is to open it up for "passive" recreational activities including hiking, horseback riding, camping and swimming.

"This is a very valuable piece of land for all of us, and we want to make sure it gets used properly," said Jay Ellington, executive director of the Park Authority, an autonomous organization that oversees the county's parks. "We've been interested in this land for several years and think because of its size, it is going to draw people from around the area, not just the county."

Although the board unanimously approved the transfer, its decision came after a lengthy debate on whether to attach deed restrictions to the property.

Supervisors Michael C. May (R-Occoquan) and Martin E. Nohe (R-Coles) said they wanted to place restrictions on the land, which is in the Gainesville district, to ensure the Park Authority would keep its word and use it solely for passive recreation.

"We want passive uses, and this is an opportunity for the board to put that stamp on it and assure that happens, " May said. "The idea is to keep this a pristine environment versus a revenue generator for the Park Authority; that's not what neighbors want or citizens in my neighborhoods want."

About a dozen residents went to speak about the proposed deed restrictions, many of whom said they were unneeded and showed that the board lacked trust in the Park Authority. Restrictions, residents said, could also limit the park's growth.

"Say two years from now someone comes up with a recreational use that is perfect for the park, but it can't be done because the deed restrictions are in place," said Scott Helberg of the Nokesville Horse Society. "Citizens 60 years from now will be held to the same restrictions that are put in place today."

Others said they supported the concept because it would ensure that lighted ballparks would remain off the property. They lost the battle Tuesday as the board voted 5-2 against the deed restrictions. Supervisor Maureen S. Caddigan (R-Dumfries) was absent.

"This places an unprecedented level of micromanagement on the Park Authority and puts citizens in a position where they will feel they need an attorney present" to use the park, Supervisor John T. Stirrup Jr. (R-Gainesville) said. "Why do we have a Park Authority if the board is going to micromanage everything?"

Silver Lake, often called the county's environmental jewel, will be added to a roster of about 65 parks the Prince William Park Authority oversees. Park officials said they will open the park in phases, funding the first part of the process. Ellington said he expects it will cost the authority about $20,000 in fiscal 2009 and $50,000 for each additional year it takes to get the basic grounds operational. Phase two, which will come when funding is available, will include adding a bathhouse, marina, camping area and eventually outdoor classrooms.

Although the county won't have to support the initial development, it will provide about $165,000 annually once the park is open and operational.