Vision, Initiative, and Dedication (Historical Marker)

Here follows the inscription written on this roadside historical marker:

Vision, Initiative, and Dedication
Mason Neck State Park and Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge

This magnificent area, a nesting place of the American Bald Eagle and home to a variety of other birds and wildlife, was threatened in 1965 with intense development. To preserve this unspoiled, historic and scenic area along the Potomac, citizens formed the Conservation Committee for Mason Neck (1965-1970). The Committee spearheaded a vigorous and successful campaign with the help of federal, state, and county authorities. Its successful efforts demonstrate the importance of dedicated citizen action in achieving environmental goals setting a model for other such undertakings by ordinary citizens around the nation.

In recognition of this hard work we thank the Committee member: Chairman William R. Durland, Vice Chairs Elizabeth Hartwell and E. Charles Majer, Secretary and Treasurer Joyce Wilkenson, Clive L. DuVall II, David B. Cobey, Melvin Siegel, Norman M. Cole, Albert C. Scartz, James H. Dillard II, and Mrs. George Robinson.


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National Day of Service September 10, 2011:
This tree was planted in remembrance of the 10th Anniversary of September 11, 2001

General Information
Just a short drive from Washington, D.C., this Northern Virginia park offers many outdoor activities and programs. It has hiking trails, 3 miles of paved multi-use trails, a large picnic area, a playground, a car-top canoe, kayak and paddleboard launch and a visitor center. Canoe and kayak rentals are also available. Bird watching, especially for American bald eagles, and guided canoe trips of Kane's Creek and Belmont Bay are favorites with park visitors. The park's wetlands, forest, open water, ponds and open fields make it ideal for environmental study and wildlife observation. Nearby attractions include the Elizabeth Hartwell National Wildlife Refuge, Gunston Hall and Pohick Bay Regional Park.

HISTORY
In 1965, the Mason Neck Conservation Committee was formed after two bald eagle nests were spotted at Mason Neck. The committee, concerned about impending development on the peninsula, recommended part of the area to be used as a site for a state park. In August 1967 the state, with the aid of matching federal grants, began buying land parcels from private landowners and the Nature Conservancy.

A series of events threatened the sanctity of Mason Neck in the late 1960s and early 1970s. After plans for a proposed beltway through the area were dropped in 1967, an airport, a natural gas pipeline, a landfill and a sewer line were proposed for the area. These proposals met strong opposition from groups such as the Mason Neck Conservation Committee. Plans for the projects were dropped because of the potential negative impact each had on the federally operated Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge and Mason Neck State Park. Mason Neck State Park opened to the public in April 1985.