Bull Run Mountains Conservancy
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 18, 2006

Prince William County now has the opportunity to create a 500 acre natural recreation area for the citizens of the county. As part of the Toll Brothers proffer package for the Dominion Valley rezoning, 233 acres surrounding Silver Lake will become available for parks and recreation, which may be operated by the Bull Run Mountains Conservancy (BRMC). The owner of an adjoining 268 acre parcel has generously offered to give that land for the natural recreation area, more than doubling its size to just over 500 acres, provided that BRMC will own and manage the combined land area. The Conservancy intends to own this land in trust for the general public—in a manner similar to that of the Nature Conservancy and the Civil War Preservation Trust.

BRMC looks forward to working with Prince William County and the local community to create this exceptional 500-acre facility.

“We are looking forward to working with the Prince William County Board of Supervisors, County staff, the Prince William Park Authority, Equestrian clubs, and the citizens of Prince William County to create this 500 acre natural recreation area for the citizens of the county” said Michael Kieffer, BRMC’s executive director.

The recreation area would be available to all citizens of Prince William County for biking, boating, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, walking pets, and other uses. If Prince William County allows BRMC this opportunity, BRMC intends to open within one year the 500-acre natural recreation area to the public for dawn to dusk activities.

This beautiful recreation area, in combination with the Bull Run Mountains would provide over 1,300 acres of publicly accessible open space for natural recreational purposes. Ownership of the area by BRMC offers significant advantages to the Prince William community, as compared to ownership by the County or by another organization. Among these:

  • BRMC can more than double the size of the facility with an additional 268 acres of mature hardwood forests, pristine streams, and upland grasslands
  • BRMC could open the park within one year, whereas the County may be unprepared to develop and staff the new facility until funding becomes available
  • BRMC would provide necessary improvements, such as hiking and equestrian trails, bathrooms, and parking facilities at no cost to Prince William taxpayers
  • BRMC’s Youth Outdoors program will provide an invaluable asset to the three schools to be constructed on land adjacent to the area, as well as other Prince William children

    • Enhancing these advantages, BRMC has a challenge grant of $500,000 to commence the infrastructure improvements necessary to open the area to the public. If entrusted with this land, BRMC will perpetually protect and preserve the 500-acre natural recreation area.

    BRMC intends to host an open community meeting in the late summer/early fall to discuss these opportunities.

    Michael Kieffer, Executive Director of BRMC

    CONTACT: Michael Kieffer, Bull Run Mountains Conservancy
    703-753-2631

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    Bull Run Mountains Conservancy Box 210 Broad Run, Virginia 20137
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