Ambitious parkland plan back for another debate

Although the supervisors have embraced a vision for more park space, they have been reluctant to embark on an effort to more than triple the county’s open space to a standard of 25 acres per 1,000 people.

“I think that the short-term fiscal challenges that we have shouldn’t shape our long-term vision of the county,” Chairman Corey Stewart said. “We need that parkland.”

The planning commission recommended the 25-acre standard, but county staff members have recommended a smaller-scale expansion to 15 acres per 1,000 people, partly because of budget concerns.

Both would boost parkland from the current level of 10.5 acres per 1,000 residents.

With one acre costing $80,000, the plans range from $345.9 million to $789.9 million.

Building park facilities will cost another $472 million over the next 22 years, officials estimate.

The last vote on expanding the parkland failed at about 3 a.m. Oct. 17 after being upstaged by a 12 1/2-hour debate over illegal immigration.

Tuesday’s work session comes as the entire county agenda is overshadowed by fiscal problems.

The $51 million deficit and jump in property foreclosures has made any vote to embrace more spending contentious, despite strong support from park advocates.

Only 51 percent of county residents said in a survey last year the county was doing enough to preserve open space.

County officials in December discussed scuttling plans to build parks the voters already approved in a 2006 bond referendum because a dramatic decline in real estate values has threatened county road and school construction.

“I don’t see how the county can accomplish this given the budget crisis,” said Mark Granville-Smith of the Prince William County Chapter of the Northern Virginia Building Industry Association.

dgenz@dcexaminer.com