2025 Parks & Recreation Annual Report Highlights Tremendous Growth Over the Past Year

2025 was another big and busy year for Prince William County Parks & Recreation, full of tremendous growth and meaningful progress. From recreation innovation to infrastructure improvements, the department focused on expanding access, enhancing experiences, and responding to what the community has told us it values most. We added more parkland, improved the quality of existing amenities, introduced new amenities, forged new partnerships and launched new programs. 

We proudly steward one of the most dynamic park systems in the nation, one where visitors can choose from 55 parks and facilities, 15 historic sites, 60 miles of trail, and 5,400 acres of parkland stretching from the Bull Run Mountains to the Potomac River.  And when you add in our two National Parks, our state park and state forest, our two national wildlife refuges, and our nature preserves, Prince William County’s green infrastructure is the envy of the Commonwealth. 

We also serve up a dynamic menu of enrichment programs for people of all ages and abilities, from licensed preschool and adaptive baseball to history tours and adult fitness classes.  
 
All of this aligns with our agency’s mission which is to create recreational and cultural experiences for a more vibrant community.  We invite you to explore some of the highlights from the past year below, as well as get outside and explore our many parks, facilities, historic sites, various programs, classes and events.

Caring for Our Great Outdoors

Do you love the great outdoors? So do we. Prince William County Parks’ focus on cultural and environmental sustainability challenges us to limit our environmental impact, achieve a better ecological balance, preserve our valuable resources, and increase cultural literacy. Last year, we offered new environmental education programs for families, like Stream Explorers, and Critters and Campfires program, and welcomed nearly 10,000 elementary school students to our Science in the Park program.

At Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park we planted 15 acres of new forest as part of the battlefield landscape restoration project in conjunction with the Prince William County Department of Public Works in their Environmental Management Division. 

With the help of 785 volunteers, we held 19 park clean ups countywide totaling 600 hours.

Preserving Prince William County’s Rich History

The Office of Historic Preservation serves as stewards of County-owned historic structures, cultural and natural resources, historic landscapes, and artifacts. We build community identity alongside our local partners by telling the story of the people of Prince William County with the goal of showing the connections between our history, our present, our future, and our growth as a community.

Last year, we welcomed a record-setting 151,000 visitors to our historic sites as well as reached an all-time high for Hands on History participants with nearly 3,500 students attending field trips at County historic sites.

We also executed purchase agreements for 172 acres of land at adjacent to Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park to advance the County’s open space expansion goals. 

Many new exhibits were launched including a Revolutionary War exhibit at Williams Ordinary highlighting Prince William County's role in the American Revolution, and the Thoroughfare Traveling Exhibit, which explores the history of one of the first communities established by free born and formerly enslaved African Americans, winning an Award of Excellence from the Virginia Association of Counties. 
 
Focusing on Inclusion

Our focus on inclusion challenges us to create environments and opportunities that are accessible and welcoming to everyone, and we are proud to offer programs for individuals with disabilities, both youths and adults. 

In 2025 we hired a new Therapeutic Recreation Coordinator to provide a dedicated focus on expanding adaptive recreation and opportunity to intentionally increase access, participation, and meaningful outcomes for individuals with disabilities.

We partnered with families to host the i-Can-Swim program at the Prince William Aquatic Center, serving around 30 special needs participants with volunteer support. We also partnered with the Prince William Parks Foundation to award 194 needs-based scholarships for summer camps and classes through the Count Me In Scholarship program. 
 
Investing in Our Park System 

2025 was another period of major capital investments in our park system. Many vital projects were completed including entry road improvements at James Long Regional Park to help alleviate traffic congestion; accessibility improvements at Dale City Recreation Center; and new artificial turf at George Hellwig Memorial Park.

We also opened the county’s first pump track at Rollins Ford Park in Nokesville, developed in collaboration with the Prince William County Parks Foundation, adding a dynamic new amenity for bike riders of all ages. And we expanded outdoor access to our local waterways with the opening of a new kayak launch at Neabsco Regional Park.

Several key facilities also saw major upgrades, including renovations to the clubhouse at Forest Greens Golf Course and improvements to the natatorium at Chinn Aquatics and Fitness Center.

We also kicked off a countywide trails master plan process to create a companion document to the Comprehensive Plan that will facilitate the construction of a robust public trail network. 

Becoming the “Best" in Prince William County

The department’s work was also recognized beyond its facilities, and it's not the first time. Readers of InsideNoVa voted PWC Parks & Recreation “Best of” in 11 categories, including best summer camps, best swimming instruction and best dance instructor/choreographer, reflecting strong public support for our programs, services, and amenities. Similar accolades were given to us by readers of Northern Virginia Magazine, Prince William Living and Prince William Times, where Rollins Ford Park was voted best playground/park; and Sharron Baucom Dale City Recreation Center best preschool. We invite you to check out these programs and facilities and let us know if you agree.

As we move into the coming year, let us continue to imagine what our park system can be and work together to make that vision a reality. We look forward to building our future together.

View the full 2025 Annual Report online. To view this year's State of the Parks video, click here.