Donations from public needed to help maintain Lake Accotink Park

A secure donation box was installed at Lake Accotink Park, by the marina, so visitors can help support the park at a time when the county budget is failing to provide enough resources.  

Friends of Lake Accotink Park (FLAP) President Tony Vellucci hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the box April 5 at the start of a cleanup activity by volunteers.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the donation box.

Velluci introduced former FLAP President Jim Hickey, a recipient of a Park Authority Elly Doyle Award, who helped make the donation box a reality. Donated funds will be used by FLAP for stewardship and recreational projects.

Lake Accotink Park needs public support more than ever, as budget cuts in recent years have reduced staffing, and further cuts are proposed in the county’s budget for fiscal year 2015.

The county’s advertised budget would eliminate the park supervisor position for Lake Accotink. “Cuts made in previous years are already straining staff and, if anything, should be reversed,” Velluci said. He called upon citizens to urge the Board of Supervisors to fully fund the county’s parks. A form on the Friends of Accotink Creek website makes this easy to do.

Later this year, the Park Authority will begin the process of rewriting the master plan for Lake Accotink, which was last revised in 1993. Vellucci encourages citizens to attend upcoming public meetings on the master plan and provide input on their vision for Lake Accotink Park. Those meetings have not yet been scheduled.