Huntley Meadows Park
Encyclopedia
Huntley Meadows Park, the largest park operated by the Fairfax County Park Authority
(1452 acres (587.6 ha)), is located in the Hybla Valley
area of Fairfax County, Virginia
, south of the city of Alexandria
. The park features a visitor center, a beaver-created wetland with boardwalk, wildlife observation platforms, and an interpretative trail system. The park is home to abundant wildlife and is known for attracting many birds, amphibians, and plants that are considered less common in the region. Secondary-growth forest, sprinkled with several small, native-grass and wildflower meadows surround much of the wetland habitat. The main bodies of water which flow through the park are, Dogue Creek
at the western border of the park, Barnyard Run, the source of the park's Central Wetland, and the headwaters of Little Hunting Creek
.
An nonprofit organization, Friends of Huntley Meadows Park, provides significant support to the park. In addition to its dedication to the protection of park resources, the organization also helps provides funding for programs, internships, and equipment.
. About 1830 his grandson built Huntley
, on the National Register of Historic Places
on a hill just to the north. Another grandson held Okeley Manor
to the northwest of the park. The area was later used for dairy farming.
In colonial times, this land was part of the extensive plantation holdings of George Mason IV. Thomson Mason, a grandson of George Mason, built a home on the property in 1825. The house, now known as Historic Huntley, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Virginia Landmarks Register
, and the Fairfax County Historic House Inventory.
reassembled the parcels, purchasing 1500 acres from 10 landowners. He dreamed of transforming Hybla Valley's dairy farms into a dirigible airport. After he lost nearly all of the property, the federal government acquired the land.
's Battery D, 125th Gun Battalion provided anti-aircraft protection for the nation's capital from 1950 to 1959. And the Navy
conducted highly classified radio communication research from 1958 to 1971, before declaring the land surplus around 1971.
signed papers authorizing the donation of 1,261 acres to the citizens of Fairfax County, "exclusively for public park or public recreation purposes in perpetuity." Under the Federal Legacy of Parks
Program, the County paid only one dollar for the land. In 1992 the Fairfax County Park Authority
, with financial assistance from Ducks Unlimited
, purchased an additional 165 acres of adjacent wetland and upland.
Bird and wildlife watching is the main activity. There are multiple observation towers and stations along the trails.
Various naturist talks, school education programs, self-guided tours and even artistic performances are part of the park.
. The lake filled in creating Huntley Meadows and Hybla Valley.
Fairfax County Park Authority
The Fairfax County Park Authority is a department of the Fairfax County, Virginia county government responsible for developing and maintaining the various parks, historical sites, and recreational areas owned or administered by Fairfax County...
(1452 acres (587.6 ha)), is located in the Hybla Valley
Hybla Valley, Virginia
Hybla Valley is a census-designated place in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States south of Alexandria, Virginia. Nearby CDPs include Groveton, Virginia , Belle Haven, Fairfax County, Virginia , Fort Hunt, Virginia and Mount Vernon, Virginia...
area of Fairfax County, Virginia
Fairfax County, Virginia
Fairfax County is a county in Virginia, in the United States. Per the 2010 Census, the population of the county is 1,081,726, making it the most populous jurisdiction in the Commonwealth of Virginia, with 13.5% of Virginia's population...
, south of the city of Alexandria
Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2009, the city had a total population of 139,966. Located along the Western bank of the Potomac River, Alexandria is approximately six miles south of downtown Washington, D.C.Like the rest of northern Virginia, as well as...
. The park features a visitor center, a beaver-created wetland with boardwalk, wildlife observation platforms, and an interpretative trail system. The park is home to abundant wildlife and is known for attracting many birds, amphibians, and plants that are considered less common in the region. Secondary-growth forest, sprinkled with several small, native-grass and wildflower meadows surround much of the wetland habitat. The main bodies of water which flow through the park are, Dogue Creek
Dogue Creek
Dogue Creek is an tributary of the Potomac River in Fairfax County, Virginia, named for the Doeg Indians. The lower of the creek form a tidal embayment of the Potomac to the east of Fort Belvoir.-Variant names:...
at the western border of the park, Barnyard Run, the source of the park's Central Wetland, and the headwaters of Little Hunting Creek
Little Hunting Creek
Little Hunting Creek is a primarily tidal tributary of the Potomac River located in Fairfax County, Virginia, USA, not to be confused with Hunting Creek farther north...
.
Huntley Meadows Today
After the federal government turned the land over the Fairfax County in the 1975, beavers quickly returned to the area and began to change how water flowed through the land. Biodiversity in what is now referred to as the Central Wetland rapidly increased and a boardwalk was opened in 1982 to allow visitors the opportunity to closely observe the largest habitat of its kind in the region. Over 200,000 people now visit the park every year, seeking wildlife observation, exercise, and relaxation. The staffed visitor center offers many exhibits on the park's human and natural history as well as educational programs for all ages.An nonprofit organization, Friends of Huntley Meadows Park, provides significant support to the park. In addition to its dedication to the protection of park resources, the organization also helps provides funding for programs, internships, and equipment.
Wetland Restoration
A wetland restoration project for the Central Wetland has been in the design phase for several years. The restoration is meant to manage and preserve the wetland structure and biodiversity through various natural resource challenges. Major components include: a small concrete dam, access road, shallow wetland pools, dead tree placement within the wetland, and expansion of nearby park meadows with soil excavated from the project. Nearly three million dollars from voter approved bonds will be spent by the County on these improvements.The Masons
In 1757 the land was purchased by George MasonGeorge Mason
George Mason IV was an American Patriot, statesman and a delegate from Virginia to the U.S. Constitutional Convention...
. About 1830 his grandson built Huntley
Huntley (plantation)
Huntley is an early 19th-century Federal-style plantation manor in the Hybla Valley area of Fairfax County, Virginia., on a hill overlooking Huntley Meadows Park to the south. The estate is best known as the country residence of Thomson Francis Mason , grandson of George Mason of nearby Gunston Hall...
, on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on a hill just to the north. Another grandson held Okeley Manor
Okeley Manor
Okeley Manor was an early 19th-century plantation in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. Okeley, the residence of prominent Alexandria physician Richard Chichester Mason , was one of the principal Mason family estates in Northern Virginia...
to the northwest of the park. The area was later used for dairy farming.
In colonial times, this land was part of the extensive plantation holdings of George Mason IV. Thomson Mason, a grandson of George Mason, built a home on the property in 1825. The house, now known as Historic Huntley, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Virginia Landmarks Register
Virginia Landmarks Register
The Virginia Landmarks Register is a list of historic properties in the state of Virginia. The state's official list of important historic sites, it was created in 1966. The Register serves the same purpose as the National Register of Historic Places...
, and the Fairfax County Historic House Inventory.
Parcelling and Combining
Mason family ownership lasted into the early 1900s, with sections of the land being sold for family farms. In the late 1920s, entrepreneur Henry WoodhouseHenry Woodhouse
Henry Woodhouse was an Italian-born US aviation enthusiast, magazine publisher, speculator and forger of historical documents.-Earlier life:...
reassembled the parcels, purchasing 1500 acres from 10 landowners. He dreamed of transforming Hybla Valley's dairy farms into a dirigible airport. After he lost nearly all of the property, the federal government acquired the land.
Government Ownership
The land was bought by the federal government in 1941. And from 1943 to 1953, the Bureau of Public Roads tested asphalt road surfaces. The Virginia National GuardVirginia National Guard
The Virginia National Guard consists of the Virginia Army National Guard and the Virginia Air National Guard. It is part of the Government of Virginia though the National Guard across the United States is mostly funded by federal monies. The Constitution of the United States specifically charges...
's Battery D, 125th Gun Battalion provided anti-aircraft protection for the nation's capital from 1950 to 1959. And the Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
conducted highly classified radio communication research from 1958 to 1971, before declaring the land surplus around 1971.
Donation to Fairfax County
In 1975, President Gerald FordGerald Ford
Gerald Rudolph "Jerry" Ford, Jr. was the 38th President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977, and the 40th Vice President of the United States serving from 1973 to 1974...
signed papers authorizing the donation of 1,261 acres to the citizens of Fairfax County, "exclusively for public park or public recreation purposes in perpetuity." Under the Federal Legacy of Parks
Legacy of parks
This 1970s New Federalism style program promoted by the Nixon administration turned federal land over to the states for historical, cultural and recreational purposes.In 1972, the U.S...
Program, the County paid only one dollar for the land. In 1992 the Fairfax County Park Authority
Fairfax County Park Authority
The Fairfax County Park Authority is a department of the Fairfax County, Virginia county government responsible for developing and maintaining the various parks, historical sites, and recreational areas owned or administered by Fairfax County...
, with financial assistance from Ducks Unlimited
Ducks Unlimited
Ducks Unlimited is an international non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of wetlands and associated upland habitats for waterfowl, other wildlife, and people. It currently has approximately 780,000 members, mostly in the United States and Canada.-Introduction:Ducks Unlimited was...
, purchased an additional 165 acres of adjacent wetland and upland.
Activities
Huntley Meadows Park has over 10 miles of maintained and informal trails. Near the wetland areas these trails are over boardwalks. There are many watch areas and benches along the maintained Heron, Deer and Cedar trails.Bird and wildlife watching is the main activity. There are multiple observation towers and stations along the trails.
Various naturist talks, school education programs, self-guided tours and even artistic performances are part of the park.
Geology
About 100,000 years ago the land was on a western meander of the Potomac River. About 30,000 years ago the river straightened to its present course leaving an oxbow lakeOxbow lake
An oxbow lake is a U-shaped body of water formed when a wide meander from the main stem of a river is cut off to create a lake. This landform is called an oxbow lake for the distinctive curved shape, named after part of a yoke for oxen. In Australia, an oxbow lake is called a billabong, derived...
. The lake filled in creating Huntley Meadows and Hybla Valley.