federal, state, and regional parks in mason neck, virginia

8/14/2019 Federal, State, And Regional Parks in Mason Neck, Virginia

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Federal, State, and Regional

Parks in Mason Neck,Virginia

A Study in Land Use Differences

Chandler Bonanno

Bill Collier

Stephanie ShuffLaura van de Geijn


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Background

Mason Neck, in Lorton, Virginia, is home to threeparks run by different agencies:

Pohick Bay Regional Park

Mason Neck State ParkPotomac River National Wildlife Refuge Complex

These parks comprise the entire neck of MasonNeck as well as a small chunk of land to the NorthWest.


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Aim of Study

Land use differences between theFederal, State, and Regionally-run

parksFocus on how the differences inmanagement translate into differences

in activity distribution, annual visitors,price for entrance, etc


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Methodology

Observation

Published Information

Field Interviews


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Themes of Research

HistoryAs evidence to present day role of park

Funding

Where it goes: amenities, availability of activities, etc.Management

Priorities of different agencies, monitoring by theseagencies, etc.


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Pohick Bay Regional Park


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Background

Acquistion of Land1961 - 1972

Development of Facilities1971, 1972

1982


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Management

The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority enhances thecommunities of Northern Virginia and enriches the lives of their

citizens through the conservation of regional, natural, andcultural resources. It provides diverse regional recreational andeducational opportunities, and fosters an understanding of therelationships between people and their environment.

Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority


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Activities

Boat Ramps

Camping

Boat/RV StorageGolf/Mini Golf

Picnic Shelters

Trails

and more


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Activities


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Funding

Fiscal Year 2009

User Fees - 56%Jurisdictional Appropriations


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Funding


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Funding


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Mason Neck State Park


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History

Occupation of the peninsula datesback to the arrival of Captain JohnSmith

Occupation of the peninsula datesback to the arrival of Captain JohnSmith

With the increasedawareness of BaldEagleEndangerment,conservation efforts

of Mason Neckbegan in 1965

With the increasedawareness of BaldEagleEndangerment,conservation efforts

of Mason Neckbegan in 1965


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Management

Mason Neck State Park is governed by the Virginia Department ofConservation and Recreation (DCR). The agency manages,protects, and provides access to the numerous state parksthroughout the Commonwealth. The DCR is charged with

identifying, inventorying, and protecting rare plants, animals, andcommunities as well as protecting and managing water and soilresources while maintaining public access and encouraging publicuse.

Mason Neck State Park is governed by the Virginia Department ofConservation and Recreation (DCR). The agency manages,protects, and provides access to the numerous state parksthroughout the Commonwealth. The DCR is charged with

identifying, inventorying, and protecting rare plants, animals, andcommunities as well as protecting and managing water and soilresources while maintaining public access and encouraging publicuse.


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Activities

The park is for day use only, providing hiking trails, picnic areas, fishing access, and a canoe

launch.The park is for day use only, providing hiking trails, picnic areas, fishing access, and a canoe

launch.


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Activities

Visitors CenterVisitors CenterPlaygroundPlayground

BoatingBoating


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Information Station


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Activities

Mason Neck offers a variety of educationalprograms including guided bird watching, canoetrips, volunteer programs, night hikes, and teacherworkshops. The Junior Rangers and Wee Rangersprograms invite children to participate in hands-onlearning projects. The park also hosts the annualElizabeth Hartwell Environmental Education Day in

late April.


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Activities


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Prohibited Activities

Mason Neck State Park is focused on conservationand education. Protecting the land while informingpeople about the importance of habitat preservationand smart land management practices drive park

activities. With no overnight camping, there are fewfacilities and buildings on the property. There is noneed for cabins or laundry facilities. There is alsolimited parking and no storage spaces available. Theboat launch is for car top boats only, as in canoesand kayaks; boat trailers are not allowed. Onecovered shelter provides 10 picnic tables and two

grills and there is one playground by the boat launchfor public use.

Mason Neck State Park is focused on conservationand education. Protecting the land while informingpeople about the importance of habitat preservationand smart land management practices drive park

activities. With no overnight camping, there are fewfacilities and buildings on the property. There is noneed for cabins or laundry facilities. There is alsolimited parking and no storage spaces available. Theboat launch is for car top boats only, as in canoesand kayaks; boat trailers are not allowed. Onecovered shelter provides 10 picnic tables and two

grills and there is one playground by the boat launchfor public use.


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Ecosystem

The park attracts several migrating and non-migrating species of birds, including bald eagles,

herons, tundra swans and assorted species of duck. Bald eagles also inhabit the area. The parkboasts several hundred acres of hardwood forests consisting of oaks, holly, hickory and otherspecies of trees. In addition, several wetland areas are also found in Mason Neck.

The park attracts several migrating and non-migrating species of birds, including bald eagles,

herons, tundra swans and assorted species of duck. Bald eagles also inhabit the area. The parkboasts several hundred acres of hardwood forests consisting of oaks, holly, hickory and otherspecies of trees. In addition, several wetland areas are also found in Mason Neck.


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Funding

The Commonwealth of Virginia Parks andNatural Areas Bond Act of 2002 was signed intolaw by the governor allowing the Commonwealthto sell bonds to raise funds to pay for capital

projects at state-supported parks andrecreational facilities. The Act has provided $119million over the past seven years to projectsacross the state. The bonds have made a bigimpact in Mason Neck through the 31-acreaddition to the Mason Neck West Park,$730,000 allocation for the construction of a new

staff and administrative office complex, and$200,000 in road improvements.

The Commonwealth of Virginia Parks andNatural Areas Bond Act of 2002 was signed intolaw by the governor allowing the Commonwealthto sell bonds to raise funds to pay for capital

projects at state-supported parks andrecreational facilities. The Act has provided $119million over the past seven years to projectsacross the state. The bonds have made a bigimpact in Mason Neck through the 31-acreaddition to the Mason Neck West Park,$730,000 allocation for the construction of a new

staff and administrative office complex, and$200,000 in road improvements.


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The Potomac River National WildlifeRefuge Complex

Three National Wildlife Refuges in Mason NeckVirginia.

The Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National WildlifeRefuge

The Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge

The Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge


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The Complex


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Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck NationalWildlife Refuge

-18 miles south of Washington D.C.

-2,277 acres and 4.4 miles ofshoreline

- It is home to the largest Great Blueheron rookery in the Mid-Atlanticregion


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History-1775 Gunston Hall built

- 1800s-1900s extensive logging

- 1960s, threat of urban sprawl

- Eagle Lady Elizabeth Hartwell

- 1969, refuge created


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Activities

Management of the area focuses onprotection of habitat and nesting sites.

Walking trail

Bird watching

Deer huntsPhotography


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The Featherstone National Wildlife

Refuge- Smallest of the three refuges, 325 acres

- Wetlands and Woodlands

- Land was acquired to preserve its pristinewetland ecosystem

- Established in 1979

- Closed to the public


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Management

The Firestone Refuge is not open to the public

Due to limited access, management is custodial.Illegal fishing, firearms use, trespassing, and

camping are issues that the U.S. Fish and Wildlifeservice and local police deal with on a regular basis.


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The Occoquan Bay National Wildlife

Refuge- 644 acres

- Established in 1998

- Over 200 species of birds and600 species of plants

- Previously a military researchsite


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Background/Activities

One of the largest open spaces in VA

Activities:

Walking

Wildlife viewing

Wildlife drive

BikingProhibited:

Jogging

Feeding animals

Removal of plants or objects

FiresPets

Camping


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Management practices

The Refuge has been a grassland for 300years

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service maintain the

area as a grasslandGrasslands are conducive for nesting birds


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Land Area

L a n d A r e a ( A c r e s )

5 4 2

1 , 8 1 4

3 , 2 7 9

P h o c k B a y ( R e g i o n a l )

M a s o n N e c k ( S t a t e )

W i l d l i f e R e g u g e s ( F e d e r a l )


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FEES IN POHICK BAY REGIONAL PARKMASON NECK STATE PARK, AND OCCOQUAN BAY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Type of Fee Pohick Bay (Regional) Mason Neck (State) Occoquan (Federal)

Entrance-Car 7.00$ $ 3.50** 2.00$

Entrance-Bus 11.00$ 12.00$ $ 25.00***

Annual Membership Fee 30.00$ 33.00$ 10.00$

Picnic Shelter Rental $ 130.00* 126.00$ n/a

* - Jurisdiction (residents of NVRPA member jurisdictions)**- Average price of weekday/weekend price

***-Average of Small vs Large Bus prices

Fees Comparison


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Fees

F e e s

$ 0

$ 2 0

$ 4 0

$ 6 0

$ 8 0

$ 1 0 0

$ 1 2 0

$ 1 4 0

P o h i c k B a y -

R e g i o n a l

M a s o n N e c k -

S t a t e

O c c o q u a n -

F e d e r a l

federal, state, and regional parks in mason neck, virginia

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