Today there is growing awareness that blending natural and built environments results in more attractive, efficient and sustainable communities. Over the long run, community investments in natural areas create an atmosphere of health and well being, help attract high quality commercial development and enhance the County's economic stability.

Although Comprehensive Plan goals focus on making sure a minimum of 39% of the county's total land area will be maintained as open space, the plan largely relies on state and federally owned parks and the Rural Crescent's large lot development to protect important natural and cultural resources.

Federal, state, business and private investments preserve about 11% of the total county acreage. Nearly all these natural areas are open to the public.

Prince William [National] Forest Park, approximately 15,000 acres, is the largest protected natural area in the D.C. metropolitan region. Located between Quantico Marine Corps Base and the Route 234 corridor, the park preserves a slice of eastern piedmont forest, one of the most heavily altered ecosystems in North America, and protects Quantico Creek, a direct tributary to the Potomac River. As continued growth in our area leads to more development and pollution , Prince William Forest Park will be an increasingly important area for outdoor recreation, water quality protection and scientific studies.

Manassas National Battlefield Park, located at the four quadrants created by the intersection of Sudley Road and Route 29, preserves a part of Civil War history for citizens throughout the Nation. Well loved by history buffs, the Battlefield's 5,100 acres of trails and fields are also popular with wildflower enthusiasts, birders and equestrians.

Conway Robinson State Forest, just west of the Battlefield on Route 29, borders Little Bull Run. This 450-acre forest includes a mix of conifers and deciduous trees that blanket several low, wet areas with interesting plants, such as pink lady's slippers. Conway Robinson State Forest is highly valued by nature lovers and a popular equestrian site.

Bull Run Mountain Natural Area, located on both sides of the Prince William/Fauquier border, safeguards ecosystems that are increasingly imperiled in our region. Owned by the Virginia Outdoors Foundation and managed by the Bull Run Mountain Conservancy, this 800-acre area protects the headwaters of the Occoquan River and offers unique opportunities to observe wildlife.

Leesylvania State Park lies along Prince William's Potomac River shoreline, between Neabsco and Powell's Creeks. With 470-acres, Leesylvania State Park is the single point of public access to the Potomac River along Prince William's nearly 30 miles of waterfront. This park offers many outdoor recreation opportunities, including camping, boating, fishing, birding and other nature explorations.

Metz Wetland includes 19 acres of constructed wetlands and about 200 acres of natural wetlands are protected by a 220-acre upland buffer along Neabsco Creek, near Leesylvania State Park. Constructed by Wetland Studies, this site was used to mitigate wetland losses from development and later donated to Prince William County for public use. The diversity of plants at the Metz attracts wildlife and wildlife enthusiasts, especially birders, from throughout Northern Virginia.

Occoquan Bay and Featherstone National Wildlife Refuges lie along Prince William's Potomac River shoreline. Together these Refuges protect nearly 1,000 acres of wetlands and forests. The Featherstone Refuge is currently closed to the public. The Prince William Conservation Alliance provided two public tours to this Refuge in 2006. Access to the wetland areas of the Marumsco section of the Occoquan Bay Refuge is also restricted, although some areas can be viewed from Veteran's Park. The Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, at the confluence of the Occoquan and Potomac Rivers , hosts a broad diversity of wetland habitats and is a premier area for birding and butterfly enthusiasts.

Forests, fields, wetlands and rivers provide outdoor recreation opportunities, support tourism, create a scenic landscape, protect water quality, preserve wildlife habitats and are the keystones of Prince William's green infrastructure.

• City of Manassas - Recreation and Parks
• City of Manassas Park - Parks
• Friends of Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre
• Bull Run Mountain Conservancy
• Natural Resources of the Bull Run Mountain Natural Area
• National Park Service
  • Manassas National Battlefield Park
• Prince William Forest Park
• Prince William County - 2003 Comprehensive Plan
• Parks and Open Space
• Parks and Open Space Plan Map
• Prince William County/Manassas Convention and Visitors Bureau - Outdoors
• Prince William County Park Authority
• Ben Lomond Community Center
• Chinn Aquatics and Fitness Center
• Dale City Recreation Center
• Forest Greens Golf Club
• General's Ridge Golf Course
• Lake Ridge Park (with golf course and marina)
• Locust Shade Park
• Prince William Golf Course
• Veteran's Park
• Prince William Wildflower Society
• Quantico Marine Base
• Checklist of Birds
• Chopawamsic Wildlife Viewing Area
• Forestry Section
• US Fish and Wildlife Service
• Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge
• Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge
• Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
• Natural Area Preserve System
• Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve