Park open but still in progress

Input sought on Silver Lake 'This is really a jewel in western Prince William'

The largest park proffer ever received by Prince William County is officially open to the public after sitting idle for several years.

On Oct. 4, members of the Prince William Park Authority officially opened part of Silver Lake Regional Park, a roughly 230-acre plot in western Prince William County. The property, which was donated to the county by Toll Brothers in 2006 and valued at about $3 million, was closed for almost four years before the Prince William Board of County Supervisors turned it over to the Park Authority in June.

"This is really a jewel in western Prince William and a place where people can come and enjoy nature," said Supervisor John T. Stirrup Jr. (R-Gainesville). "As time passes and the county builds out, I think people will be more appreciative that we set this land aside for perpetuity for people to come and enjoy."

Silver Lake is filling a void in the western end of the county, Stirrup said. The Haymarket and Gainesville areas include Catharpin and James S. Long parks, both viewed as more recreational, but have had no true nature preserves.

That is, until now.

"Until Catharpin Park was delivered last year, we had not had a new park in Gainesville since 1982, and the population has exploded dramatically since then," Stirrup said. "Bringing . . . Silver Lake online helps reduce our infrastructure deficit when it relates to recreation."

Thanks to volunteers who picked up trash, built a dock and made other improvements at the park over the past few months, the land is now open for hiking and some fishing, Park Authority officials said. A restroom is also in place, and park rangers are on patrol at the property, which is free for people to use.

The long-term master plan for the park, however, is still being drafted. Park Authority officials held two public meetings last month, asking residents what they want to see happen to the land.

Residents' ideas include opening a dog park and Frisbee golf course. People said they want trails for horseback riding, a playground for children and possibly a sports club for archery, shooting and camping.

Only part of the lake is open. Residents said they want more fishing space, and some also want the Park Authority to allow boats on the water.

"So far, we've heard some very positive feedback from the folks who have been using the facilities, but they do say we are a little restrictive when it comes to the lake," Park Authority Executive Director Jay Ellington said. "People want to get on more areas of the lake to fish."

A quarry on site got mixed reviews. Some residents said it is unsafe, but a scuba company wants to see it open for lessons. Ellington said Prince William's emergency personnel use it for diving practice.

Residents also brought up a middle school under construction next to the park property. Ellington said a road separates the entrance of the park and the school, which is scheduled to open within a few years. Some at the meetings, however, said they want a "visual block" so people can't see the school from the park. They also don't want lights at the school to shine into the nature preserve.

"There is a consistent theme that the public wants the park to remain for passive use rather than for active or organized sports like league baseball and softball," Stirrup said. "I've always wanted it to remain for passive use. There is a good trail system where people can walk for miles. . . . I just want a place for people to relax."

Ellington said the Park Authority is reviewing all feedback and will draft two or three master plans. The public can continue to comment until the plans go before the Park Authority Board, which will probably be in January, he said.

The Park Authority, which oversees about 65 parks in the county, has about $350,000 from development proffers to continue preparing the grounds for use, Ellington said. Although the county is not supporting the initial development, it will provide about $165,000 annually once the park is fully operational.

"This is a great jewel to our park system," Ellington said. "We look forward to finishing the master plan and slowly putting it to use over the years."