Just in time for the beginning of summer break, Prince William County has unveiled a new outdoor attraction.
This past weekend, June 1, was the grand opening of the Neabsco Creek Boardwalk.
This project, 10 years in the making, combines Rippon Landing Community Park and Julie A. Metz Wetlands Preserve.
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held for the opening of the new trail at
15125 Blackburn Road in Woodbridge. Community members in attendance were treated to guest speakers, tours, and entertainment.
One of the speakers, Supervisor Frank Principi, said of the boardwalk, “This special place will become a regional destination for people young and old to visit, enjoy and learn about our great outdoors. The boardwalk connects us to both our nature and our history.”
The new addition to the community was not just built for our entertainment though. Concerns regarding preservation of the environment were kept in mind in its construction.
Principi explained many features of the boardwalk that were built specifically to preserve the delicate wetlands.
Steel cabling was used in the construction of the Neabsco Creek Boardwalk, which will allow for the natural tidal and flood patterns to continue without any hindrance.
To motivate students, step downs were also added to allow them to further engage with the natural aquatic wildlife of the creek.
Principi said, “By encouraging an appreciation of nature we inspire it’s protection.”
State Senator Jeremy McPike mirrored his sentiment.
“This is a perfect place to teach our future generations how important it is to treat our environment right and enjoy it,” spoke McPike.
