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TextRiverbend Park Public Master Planning Process
The Fairfax County Park Authority has initiated a public master planning process to revise the 1975 Park Master Plan for Riverbend Park, located at 8700 Potomac Hills Street, in Great Falls. Please refer to the accompanying vicinity map.
The Park Site
At the edge of the Potomac River, Riverbend Park has over 400 acres of forest, and meadow. An extensive trail network includes a 2.5 mile portion of the Potomac Heritage Trail linking national and regional parkland. Kayakers and canoeists can enjoy exploring many islands in the Potomac River. Serious anglers and families can bring a boat or fish from the shady riverbank. Nature highlights include spectacular river views, beautiful wildflowers, and birds.
Riverbend Park is located in the Dranesville Supervisory District, and which is classified as a resource-based park. Park facilities include a visitor center, nature center, picnic pavilion, boat ramp, parking lots, and other structures surrounded by forested natural areas that contain cultural resources representing multiple periods of history.
Riverbend's current master plan approved in 1975 has guided its uses and development for the last 40 years. As with many park master plans of that era, the plan consists of a graphic conceptual plan representing the approved planned uses. In addition, management of the significant natural and cultural resources are guided by the Natural Resource Management Plan as well as the Cultural Resource Management Plan. The 1975 Master Plan and the resource management plans will inform the master plan revision. These plans are centered on the Riverbend Park's core mission:
"Riverbend Park is a nature preserve managed to protect the biological communities and cultural resources of the Potomac Gorge, while providing a natural space for education, research and outdoor recreation that is compatible with preservation goals."
Through the revision and update of the master plan the Park Authority will ensure that Riverbend Park continues to meet the park user needs in the modern age, while still achieving its mission. The master planning process will engage park stakeholders through its public participation process to help the Park Authority determine the appropriate uses and facilities within the park.
The Process
To start this park planning process, a public information meeting was held on February 21, 2012, at the Great Falls Grange. This Public Information Meeting featured a presentation about the site's existing conditions and the park master planning process. Following the presentation, the meeting continued with an informal moderated public discussion session to identify community concerns, answer questions, and receive suggestions for future park features to be considered by the Park Authority in developing the draft Master Plan.
Using this input, the site conditions, along with the existing master plan, and resource management plans, a draft master plan will be prepared by the staff team. The planning process will take into account public access, site assets, and constraints while evaluating alternatives to determine the best possible options. Once the draft master plan is completed, it will be published on this project website, available in print format on request and presented to the community at a public comment meeting, which is anticipated to be held later in 2012. Public comments can be presented at this meeting or in various other ways during the 30 day public comment period following the meeting date. As the plan revision process progresses, updates will be provided to the community on the status of the proposed park master plan through this web page.
More information on the Master Plan process can be found by visiting the Park Planning and Development homepage.
Comments can be provided throughout the process at the public meetings or by email at Parkmail.
The Park Authority will post public meetings presentations, summaries and other relevant materials to this website.
The Future Park
Although park planning should be completed in 2012, no determination has been made as to when approved improvements will be implemented. Current park bond and Work Programs do not include funding for design or construction within Riverbend Park. Site design, construction timing, and funding are determined by the Park Authority Board through adoption of the Capital Improvement Program. In some cases, sponsorships and funds proffered from private developments may be available to provide park improvements.
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