This page identifies public meetings that are currently scheduled by the Park Authority. Meetings may be called to consider Master Plans for new parks, or parks being renovated. Meetings may also be called to gather community recommendations regarding other planning initiatives such as long-range planning, new programs, or changes in operations that might impact services offered. The public is encouraged to participate either at any scheduled meetings, or by emailing the Park Authority Executive Director or Board Members.
A Park Master Plan is a use plan for any one single park. It is developed through a planning process, which is driven by community input. The process usually starts with a citizen survey or neighborhood focus group meeting which helps the Park Authority Board and senior park staff determine what citizens want and need at a particular facility, or in a particular area of the county. Occasionally, unique partnerships with the community or other agencies will trigger a development or redesign of park facilities.
A Master Plan involves several different general, and usually some specific recreation alternatives and possible locations for those amenities based on topography, existing improvements, water management, available funding and need. Once facility improvements are agreed upon with the community, fit the overall plan for the park and meet project budget constraints, a Master Plan for the Park is developed for final agency approval.
Not all Master Planned parks are necessarily completely built, and not all parkland owned is Master Planned. The Park Authority makes every effort to secure land for future use. Current effort is directed at the most needed types of recreation and at facilities that exhibit the highest probable use. Development is always contingent on available funding.
Information regarding Master Plan and other Public Input Meetings are advertised on the Park Authority web pages, legal notices in local newsprint as required, available on Twitter and Facebook, posted at Park Authority Headquarters at George Hellwig Park, included in public notices on Cable Channel 23 and posted on the Road Marquee at the Prince William Government Center.
Fall 2009 Public Planning Meeting Schedule
The following schedule has been tentatively developed for a series of upcoming public meetings. All meetings start at 7:30 and end at 9:00 p.m. and are held at Hellwig in the Board Room, unless otherwise indicated.
All public meetings regarding development of the 2011-2015 Strategic Plan have concluded. Thank you for your interest.
WIITA Tract (Rollins-Ford) Master Plan
September 16 – First Open Public Meeting
September 29 – Second Open Public Meeting
December 9 – Public Hearing held during Board Session. Park Board deferred scheduling the adoption of a Master Plan pending additional staff review.
January 13th - A Staff Update was provided to the Park Board. If you did not get a chance to participate at any of the previous Master Plan meetings for this park, here is a link to the three schematic drawings presented during those meetings and updates presented at the December 9th Public Hearing
WIITA Concept Plan A
WIITA Concept Plan B
WIITA Concept Plan C
The Park Authority Board will tour the park land at Rollins-Ford on Monday, January 18th at approximately 11:00 a.m. Additional public meetings regarding this park development will be posted here and on the Board pages as soon as they are scheduled.
The Park Board will be reviewing two additional Master Plan alternatives, labeled Plan D and Plan E below. This review will take place on Wednesday, February 10 during the regular board meeting at George Hellwig Park, in Board Chambers. The meeting starts at 7:30, weather permitting. The Board will determine how they wish to move forward after reviewing these two additional plans.
The February 10 Board agenda was deferred to February 24th due to inclement weather.
WIITA Concept Plan D
WIITA Concept Plan D2
UPDATE February 24th: At last evenings Park Board meeting, the Park Authority Board adopted Plan D-2 as the approved Master Plan for the WIITA - Rollins Ford tract. You can listen to the board proceeds by visiting the About Us, Park Board Meetings, Current Year, board audio from the February 24 meeting. Once you click on the link attached here, you will need to select the audio file for the February 24th meeting. Click here for our archive audio
WIITA Concept Plan E
2010-2030 Comprehensive Plan Schedule
September 21 – First Open Public Meeting
Oct 19th - Second Open Public Meeting
April 14th - Draft document Public Hearing
April 28th - Draft Comprehensive Plan Adoption
2010-2030 Comprehensive Plan file size 4.70 MB
(Must have Free Adobe Reader version 6 or above. Right click and select SAVE option to save the file to your hard drive)
Silver Lake – Master Plan Meeting Schedule
October 6th – First Open Public Meeting
October 27th – Second Open Public Meeting
March 24th 7:30 p.m. - Master Plan Public Hearing - Hellwig Park Board Chambers (Three conept plans were presented and discussed).
Three alternative plans were considered for the development of Silver Lake Regional Park. Plans A, B and C included various park amenities and facilities that were recommended during public meetings held in 2009, and that are recommended by park planning staff. Plan A included a small sheltered building, rest rooms and showers, one fishing pier, multiple-use trails, equestrian trailer parking, picnic areas and several un-paved public parking lots. Plan B included the above and adds additional fishing piers, primitive camping and picnic pavilions. Plan C added a non-motorized boat drop-off area for lake boating, multi-purpose picnic pavilions, outdoor classrooms, a floating pier, children's playground and a community garden area.
Final plan design was based on community input, staff recommendations and park board recommendations. The community garden and equestrian area were eliminated, and an equestrian camping area was added.
Silver Lake Environmental Features and Planning Staff Master Plan Recommendation
Silver Lake Environmental Features Map
April 14th - Tentative date for Master Plan Adoption - Hellwig Board Chambers. Staff presented and recommended an Amended Concept Plan C (above link) that included environmental features shown on Plan C.
April 28th - Silver Lake Master Plan Adoption
MEETING DATES
UPDATE APRIL 28, 2010
The Park Board has adopted a Master Plan for Silver Lake - Concept Plan C. This plan ensures that Silver Lake will remain a passive recreation park. The Park Board extends a thank you to all those citizens who participated in public meetingsor provided emails or letters with development suggestions for this park. The Board would also like to thank the various state and local agencies that provided information or conducted environmental studies at this site in preparation for a master plan presentation. |