To Stafford County Official,
 
Petition in support of the proposed Accokeek Furnace Boardwalk Trail.

Stafford Citizens completed a Park survey and once again Trails are the most requested Park Amenity. Government Island Boardwalk was chosen as the most visited Park in Stafford.

The proposed Accokeek Furnace Boardwalk and Trail could be built on a portion of land that has 4 streams that run parallel creating a 1/4-mile-wide swath of hundreds of acres of non-usable flood plain, wetlands and RPA that will never be developed. The land runs from Accokeek Furnace to the Great Blue Herron Rockery at Crow's Nest. The proposal would make hundreds of acres of non-usable land Usable and not take valuable land out of the tax rolls. The Trail could follow the path of waterlines or other infrastructure that will be built on that land.

The Boardwalk you see in the picture is the .9 Mile long Neabsco Creek Boardwalk in Woodbridge. The Accokkeek watershed in the center of Stafford County West of I-95 has similar characteristics as Neabsco Creek that would be ideal for a Board Walk. The proposal is for a 1.3 Mile Boardwalk that would start about one mile South of Courthouse Rd at the planned Mine Road Extension and end at the Historic Accokeek Furnace and Mill Site near Colonial Forge High School. The Boardwalk would be similar to the Government Island Boardwalk that also showcases Stafford's History.

George Washington's father, Augustine Washington had many ties to Stafford County. In addition to owning Ferry Farm he owned a Mill and an Iron Forge known as Accokeek Furnace outlined in red on the picture. The workers built homes around the Forge and Mill forming a small town. Colonial Forge High School is named after the furnace, which has remains about 500 yards behind the High School. The George Washington Foundations owns the 26 acre Accokeek Furnace and Mill site (Outlined in red) and the Boardwalk could help open public access to the site to showcase Colonial History. The Boardwalk could help kick start the site to be open to the public and an archaeological dig that could uncover hidden secrets of Stafford County in the early 1700's.

Trails are in high demand. Trails have been the Number 1 requested park amenity in Stafford County for over 20 years, since a 2005 Stafford parks survey.

Prince William County did a similar survey in 2019. Trails were also the Number 1 requested Park Amenity.

Trails are used year-round by everyone, young, old, couples, joggers, bicycles, people walking dogs, skateboarders, people just getting exercise enjoying Nature and fresh air. One mile of trail costs about the same as one ballfield and has a maintenance cost of about the same. The Regional Jail can have work crews that can help maintain the Trail like they are doing at Lake Mooney.

Trails are eligible for Federal and State Transportation Enhancement Grants that will pay up to 80% of the cost, leaving Stafford with only having to pay 20%.

Having new Parks identified in the Comprehensive Plan obligated developers to contribute to Parks when they apply for a Rezoning. It's been many years since developer have contributed to Park Amenities because Stafford doesn't have plans in the books. 

We believe Stafford has a great opportunity to create a Trail that will be enjoyed by many Citizens while we showcase Stafford History and promote tourism and economic opportunity. Stafford citizens will no longer have to drive to another jurisdiction for a Nature Walk. 

Please support the Accokeek Furnace Boardwalk Trail in the Stafford County Comprehensive Plan!

Signed,
We the People