Veteran's Memorial Park Meet-up

Veteran's Memorial Park is well known in Woodbridge for its scenic waterfront trails and fantastic rec center, equipped with pool, indoor and outdoor basketball courts, skate park, and shaded picnic areas, but few people know how special this area is to the local environment. That huge body of water, which is accessed from the trails, is the Marumsco Creek Watershed, which leads directly to the Occoquan Bay, quickly meeting the Potomac River. This beautiful Prince William county park, is within walking distance to several surrounding neighborhoods, home and vital habitat of many local animals, as well as the refuge and breeding area for migratory birds and endangered species.

The mature trees in this park are a major contribution to the health and quality of our local river, serving as a buffer, which protects the water from pollutants. Most of those trees, many of us grew up admiring are dying, and at risk of dying, with no replacements in place, due to heavy exotic vine pressure. These foreign vines were introduced by the landscaping trade, and escaped into the wild areas, causing major havoc which is contributing to the loss of trees, reduced air quality, soil erosion, and reduced water quality.

We were given special permission to invite the community to enjoy the park and help to support its ecology for future generations to come, by teaching about the invasive plants which damage the local ecosystem, and to help to remove some of those vines which have become very difficult for the county staff to manage.

Suggestions:
Cover your legs and arms (poison ivy present)
Bug protection for skin
Bring gloves and weeding tools