Silver Lake Recreation Proposals
Three Alternatives – Things to Consider

Items to Consider

Prince William County Park Authority (PWCPA)

Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NVRPA)

Bull Run Mountain Conservancy (BRMC)

Total Number of Parkland Acres Open to Public

•  231 acres

•  231 acres

•  499 acres

Public Access

•  Opened to the public in 4 phases, beginning with daycamp/marina uses

•  Primitive and RV camping services offered in Phase 2

•  Farm park and equestrian uses in Phase 3

•  Scuba, disc golf, RV storage in Phase 4

•  Opening and continued operations dependent upon county funding

•  Open to public after development of camping facilities

•  Opening and continued operations dependent upon NVRPA funding

•  Guided events by October 2007; open for all uses dawn-to-dusk within 6 months of acquisition

•  Continued public access ensured by formal agreement with the Prince William County Board of County Supervisors

Guarantee of Long Term Conservation and Protection Against Inappropriate Uses

•  Uses subject to annual decisions of County officials, such as permission for cell towers, vehicle maintenance facilities, additional structures…

•  All uses subject to annual decisions of NVRPA officials (including permission for cell towers, vehicle maintenance facilities, additional structures…)

•  Wooded areas, approximately 60 acres at north and western borders, would be protected in perpetuity by a conservation easement

•  All uses determined by formal agreement with the County

•  Entire site protected in perpetuity through deed restrictions

Proposed Uses: Addresses Citizen Priorities for Passive* and Active** Recreation Uses

•  Public uses established through public agency with process for public involvement in management planning

•  Current proposal includes predominantly active recreation uses.

•  Public uses established through public agency with process for public involvement in management planning

•  Current proposal includes predominantly active recreation uses with some areas dedicated to passive use

•  Public uses established through a private non-government organization, with public involvement only at the time when the agreement with the County is formalized

•  Proposed uses are predominantly passive recreation, guaranteed by deed restrictions

•  Some areas dedicated for equestrian uses, guaranteed through a formal agreement with the Prince William County Board of Supervisors

Cost to Implement/Who Will Pay

•  100% from Prince William County taxpayers

•  Possible contribution from proffer funds committed as part of the expansion of Dominion Valley, as determined by the Prince William County Board of Supervisors

•  Requires irrevocable transfer of Silver Lake property, $3 million current assessed value, to the NVRPA (would satisfy the annual required contribution for the initial membership year)

•  Requires annual membership contribution to NVPRA; contribution set at $1.6 million for 2009 and thereafter adjusted according to regional needs

•  Requires revocable transfer of property, $3 million current assessed value, to BRMC

•  100% from grants and private donations, 0% from Prince William County taxpayers

Cost to Maintain/Who Will Pay

•  PWCPA funding is based on 50% from user fees, 50% from Prince William County taxpayers

•  NVRPA funding is based on 80% from user fees, 20% from NVRPA member jurisdictions

•  100% from user fees and donations

Level of County Control

•  Prince William County Park Authority (8-member Board appointed by the Prince William County Board of Supervisors)

•  Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (14-member Board, 2 members appointed by the Prince William County Board of Supervisors)

•  Property reverts to County ownership should BRMC not fulfill any portion of their agreement with the BOS

User Fees

•  PWCPA entrance and use fees are used for PWC County parks

•  NVRPA entrance and use fees are used for NVRPA parks, all jurisdictions

•  Entrance and use fees would be used at Silver Lake

Benefits to Surrounding Community

•  Primary activity (RVs and camping) would benefit non-residents

•  Primary activity (RVs and camping) would benefit non-residents

•  Primary activity (passive recreation**) would benefit Prince William County residents

Impact to Antioch Road .

•  Includes horse trailers, personal cars, and RV's

•  Includes horse trailers, personal cars, and RV's

•  Includes horse trailers and personal cars

Benefits Stream and Drinking Water Protection Goals.

•  Includes stream protection through buffers

•  Increased stream protection through buffers, conservation easement on some wooded areas

•  Maximizes stream protection through extensive buffers, conservation areas and by focusing on passive recreation uses

List of Proposed Uses

•  Multi-use trails

•  RV storage area

•  Small boat marina

•  Boat rental

•  Scuba diving

•  RV and tent camping

•  Farmers Market, includes small barn with animals

•  R/C boats and R/C planes

•  Dog Park with land/water training

•  Scuba diving

•  Offices, exhibits, restrooms, conference room, youth daycamp rooms

•  Store/Bathhouse

•  Amphitheater/Special Event Area

•  Passive recreation**

•  Caretaker residence

•  Programs for residents and schools

•  Equestrian Uses:

•  Central office, restrooms and welcome center

•  Full size covered arena

•  Open arenas (2)

•  Stables

•  Equestrian camping

•  Picnic areas

•  Parking

•  Multi-use trails

•  RV and boat storage

•  Fishing pier

•  Small boat marina

•  Boat rental

•  Scuba diving

•  Pavilion sites, including grills;

•  RV and tent camping, and cabins;

•  Passive recreation**

•  Equestrian Uses

•  Horse paddock with trailer access in camping area

•  Dressage area

•  Parking

•  Multi-use trails

•  Fishing pier

•  Cartop boat launch

•  Primitive tent camping

•  Passive recreation**

•  Environmental programs for residents and schools

•  Equestrian uses (20 acres to be transferred to Prince William County Park Authority for public equestrian facilities)

•  Parking

DEFINITIONS:

* Active recreation: Uses involving development of a land area and landscape alterations to provide the construction of buildings, fields, courses and other related infrastructure to support the activities. Active recreation also often produces light, noise or visual intrusion on their surroundings. Examples include activities or sports requiring managed fields, courts, swimming pools, tracks, boat launches or piers, or indoor program or classroom space, golf, mountain biking, equestrian facilities, hunting, etc.

** Passive recreation: Uses that generally require or result in little or no alteration of the landscape and produce little or no light, noise or visual intrusion on their surroundings. Passive uses may require trails, small footprint buildings for rest rooms or visitor centers, parking, etc. Examples may include hiking, jogging, birding, photography, nature study, fishing, canoeing or kayaking (depending on the access needs), biking on designated trails, equestrian trails, etc.