Silver Lake Aerial Photo,
originally published in
the Potomac News
The political wrangling over the Silver Lake Recreation Area continues. On one side, some people have plans to develop the area to suit their purposes. On the other side….well, here are a couple of emails from the other side.
On May 14, the Bull Run Mountains Conservancy (BRMC) issued an alert to its members. The subject was a pristine piece of undeveloped property on the west end of Prince William County.
Dear Members,
A public hearing is set for Tuesday, May 19, on whether the Prince William Board of County Supervisors (BOCS) will give the 233-acre Silver Lake property to Prince William County Park Authority (PWCPA). Silver Lake, if given to the PWCPA, must have deed restrictions to protect the public interests. People have overwhelming spoken up at numerous BOCS meetings demanding a passive recreation park. Without any restrictions the Park Authority will be free to develop the park through the normal master planning process. Please, make sure that the county adheres to the use guidelines that we agreed on last year (4-30-08 Meeting Minutes).
We have attached meeting minutes prepared by Susan Roltsch, Assistant County Executive, from the April 30, 2008, meeting where BRMC, PWCPA, and the County Executive, County staff, and County Attorneys where all parties agreed on the use guidelines for Silver Lake. We encourage our supporters to attend this meeting to make sure that the county follows through with what they promised. The Prince William Board of County Supervisors will meet May 19th in the Board Chamber of the James J. McCoart Administration Building, 1 County Complex Court in Woodbridge at 7:30 P.M.
Thank you for your support,
Bull Run Mountains Conservancy
Then on May 19 the BMRC issued a second alert.
The meeting has been moved to June 9. We will keep you informed of any other changes.
Bull Run Mountains Conservancy
The Prince William Conservation Alliance (PWCA) also continues to monitor this issue. As the PWCA sees it, the PWCPA seems more interested in slowly wearing down opposition than explaining what it intends to do with the Silver Lake. Check here.
I vote for passive use, since we have little of that in the county and a lake area should be preserved for some peace and quiet.
Many people have little faith that PWC government will act in the best interests of its residents. The issues over Silver Lake are just more manifestations of general distrust.
I still remember one experience in particular from the short time I lived in Connecticut as a boy. There was this lake, and people swam in it. Plants grew on the bottom. Small fish occasionally tried to nibble on my side.
Clean, clear water. No chlorine. The sky for roof.
When we swim in a painted, concrete lined pool, some things can be forgotten. One is that there is a world of difference between dirt and filth. This lake was lined with dirt, but there was little filth. In our increasingly industrialized world, it is good to know the difference between dirt and filth. A swim in a cool clear lake is a good way to learn.
Yeah, a lake to swim in is awesome! Let’s have that, too, shall we?
Right now, we drive all the way out to Half Moon Beach in Strasburg. Don’t know if you’ve ever been there–it’s an old quarry. It’s a bit away, but it’s gorgeous!! It would be nice to have something local. We don’t have enough real lakes around here.
Here’s a pic of Half Moon: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iwg39S4kKiE/SKYRGUQ6qvI/AAAAAAAABFs/0hzaYMJtvZc/s1600-h/HalfMoon+Beach1.JPG
Hmmm…I posted something here, but it’s not showing up. I included a link to my other blog with pics of Half Moon Beach, so I wonder if that’s the issue.
Anyway, repeating myself, I am sure, but YES!!! A lake to swim in! It’s not dirty. It’s nature!
Non-motor boats would be cool, too. Motors ruin the Zen.