Cannon Ridge Park update!
Picture of some of the Civil War fortifications on landlocked Public Land that surrounds the closed Cannon Ridge Golf Course. The ruins of the Banks Ford Dam that channeled water to the Canal for navigation and to power Scott's Mill are still intact along with the Civil War earthworks. In fact, a row of 6 Cannon fortifications and the trench roads and canal are visible on Areal Terrain Maps. A prehistoric Native American fish trap in the river AKA a fish Weir is not identified in the picture but can be seen on Google maps near Ante-Bellum Road.
Last Thursday the Stafford Historical Commission voted to let me have a 15 minute my presentation on the Historic Sites and Events Park proposal at Cannon Ridge. They want more info on the Park designation and have it on the agenda for discussion at their next meeting. They are also waiting to see if the Parks Commission endorses the designation of Cannon Ridge as a Park in the Comprehensive Plan. The Parks Commission has the endorsement on their September 21st agenda for a vote!
A Park designation in the Comp Plan doesn't stop the land from being developed with the current By-right uses, but it does put roadblocks in place for it to be rezoned for residential uses. The benefits of having the designation is it gives Stafford a goal and objective to start negotiations and to go after Grants and Donation funding.
On September 9th at 6:00 PM the Stafford Planning Commission will be voting to send the New Comprehensive Plan to Public Hearing. I will be making a 3 minute presentation during the Public Comment Period. Please come to the meeting and voice your support for a Park at Cannon Ridge and Accokeek Furnace Boardwalk. You can also email them and say I support Cannon Ridge and Accokeek Furnace Boardwalk to be designated as a Park in the Comprehensive Plan!
Below is the email list to the Planning Commission for you to email them.
Thanks for your support,
kbarnes@staffordcountyva.gov,
kvcaudill@staffordcountyva.gov,
cbratton@staffordcountyva.gov,
nhamblin@staffordcountyva.gov,
moats@staffordcountyva.gov,
wshelton@staffordcountyva.gov, msiegmund@staffordcountyva.gov
Below are links to the online petition and a facebook presentation on the proposed Historic Events Park at Cannon Ridge.
Online Petition for a Historic Park at Cannon Ridge.
https://www.change.org/p/establish-park-with-historic-river-walk-and-waterfall-trails
Historic Events Park Presentation at Cannon Ridge!
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid0xiugKQrCcbZ1wr8E4QoNvaBAFJjakFhdDiPWz11yiJ3SqFZfWzc3TuprR2A6akcLl&id=61586515393033
Presentation for proposed Accokeek Furnace Boardwalk and Trail.
Thanks for your support!
Joe Brito
jsbrito@aol.com