Issue – Currently, seems that the Town Council plans to grant a permanent easement of Elanor Park to a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO). Effectively, the Town seeks to gift a million-dollar ($1,000,000.00) property to an organization most colonial beach residents will have no say in. Some Colonial Beach residents agree with this move, as they trust the NGO will maintain the park. However, the majority of Colonial Beach residents have not been asked. As this is a permanent easement, and likely irreversible, we want the Town Council to consult with all the residents, before its too late.

Solution - Sign this petition to make sure the Town Council of Colonial Beach issues a survey to assess the preference of Town people.  We need as many signatures as we can get, so please share and spread the word.  

The below timeline is based on documents from FOIA request and other sources as specified: 

1882- Eleanor Park granted to CB residents for their enjoyment and use.

July 12, 1995- Circuit Court of Westmoreland County, Virginia emitted judgement in favor of the Town of CB and against a lot owner(s) who tried to take possession of Eleanor Park claiming it was left to them via a trust by the original developer of the area.  

2013 – Grant page 9- the Planning Commission, guided by the 2009-2029 Comprehensive Plan, endorsed Town Staff recommendations that Eleanor Park be maintained as open space for the enjoyment of the residents and for passive recreation.

2014- Grant page 9- Town Council passed a resolution based on a study, to sell the land at $1.225 M for a subdivision that will divide the land in 13 lots for 2-3 bed-rooms houses as only 36% of the land can be built based on a study the Town commissioned. This will generate $50,000 per year in revenue to the Town. However, Town Council members are divided in the issue.

2014 – Grant page 9- the Town received two offers to purchase the land for $850,000 and $950,000 respectively.

2018- Grant page 9- the Town received an offer for $900,000 to develop 6 lots. The offers were withdrawn.

March 2019- grant page 9- Town Council acknowledges that it does not currently have a Super Majority required to sell Eleanor Park, therefore it directed the Town Manager to remove the For Sale and No Trespassing signs.  Super majority means 2/3 of the Council members need to vote in favor of selling.

August 21, 2019 - FOIA (Exhibit A) - Resolution #35-19 - Authorized the Town Manager to Submit Grant Application to the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation ("VLCF") no later than 4 PM on Thursday, August 29, 2019. This application would be worked by two Council members and a small number of volunteers. The proposal was submitted as required. A key point of the application include that the total cost of the playground project is estimated at $1,127,000 (grant page 9). 

January 25, 2020- FOIA Exhibit D- Town Council prioritizes the Eleanor Park Grant as High priority for 2020 as part of the Town Council Work session

February 19, 2020- Town Council meeting where it is discussed the possibility of closing Castlewood and establishing a playground at Eleanor. 

March 4, 2020- Town Council discusses moving Castlewood Park (playground equipment) to Eleanor Park.

March 11, 2020- FOIA Exhibit F-  A Town Council representative provided a site sketch that included parking, playground and fencing for Eleanor Park. In this email she asks if the meters for the parking were already ordered. She notices that she has been working with Green Spaces (Formerly Friends of Eleanor Park) who are the group helping with the grant. E-mail includes site plans for Eleanor Park and notes the destruction of Castlewood.

July 15, 2020- FOIA Exhibit E- A Town Council Representative asks for resolution #29-20 to be added to the Council Agenda during the Council meeting and explains that he was working with other member for over a year   to make this happen.  The Mayor explains that this item should not be added to the agenda as it requires a lot of public input.

July 15, 2020 Town Council meeting- A Town Council member introduces Resolution #29-20.  There is no public input and the resolution passes. (TC video)

August 12 and 19, 2020 - Many neighbors expressed opposition to Resolution #29-20 and requested its rescission. (TC video)

August 23, 2020 - Colonial Beach Residents Association submits Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to the Town- (extracts presented herein)

September 2, 2020- Town Public Hearing Resolution #29-20 is put on hold/table; and the issue is moved to the planning commission. (TC Vide)

September 11, 2020-  After Colonial Beach Residents Association advocacy efforts, the Colonial Beach Town Council passed Resolution #38-20 which Rescinded Resolution #29-20 (TC video)

October 7, 2020-  Town Council confirms that Eleanor Park is not a CB Park it is a piece of land named Eleanor Park (TC video)

January 15, 2021- New administration representative informs members of Colonial Beach Residents Association that Eleanor Park has been made an official Park of CB during January. (Minutes of one-to-one meeting)

February 4, 2021- While cameras weren’t working and, as confirmed by grapevine, the Town Council discussed issuing a new resolution like 29-20 to grant an easement to a Town NGO at a future Council meeting* 

*(Since recording is not available, we are waiting on Town Council meeting minutes to confirm) All items discussed in the timeline are supported by video or documentation in possession of our Association as specified.