Released February 22, 2010

Delegate Scott A. Surovell(D-44) sent a letter to Governor Bob McDonnell today, calling on the governor to restore funding for Mason Neck State Park. The Governor proposed closing the park as part of his budget recommendations put forward last week. Mason Neck is just one of several state parks which would be closed based on McDonnell’s recommendations.

Opened in 1985, the 1,800 acre park is the only state park in Fairfax County and draws nearly 88,000 visitors a year. This does not include cyclists, who frequently use the park. One such cyclist is Delegate Surovell. “I personally cycle to the park on weekends along with Mount Vernon’s “Over the Hill” cycling team,” he noted.

Mason Neck State Park is frequently used by community organizations and families for outdoor gatherings. Citing a shortage of such facilities in the Mount Vernon area, Delegate Surovell stated that closing the park would add additional pressure to overbooked county and regional facilities throughout the area.

Surovell went on to question the economic benefits of the proposed closing. “With over $500,000 a year spent at local businesses by visitors to the park, closing Mason Neck in these tough economic times is the wrong move,” Surovell said. “That’s roughly $5 per every dollar spent keeping the park open.”

Surovell joins US Representative Gerry Connolly in calling on the Governor to keep Mason Neck open.