Park Land In Manassas Area Under Consideration For School: Report

MANASSAS, VA — Prince William County officials are looking into transferring part of a park in the Manassas area to create land to build an elementary school, a plan opposed by some residents in the area, according to a report. The proposal calls for more than half of Rosemount-Lewis Park going to build the school.

Under the proposal, about 12 acres of the nearly 24-acre park, which is on Prince William County land, would be used for the school. The plan calls for keeping the pedestrian trails, tennis and basketball courts, shelter and play area in place at the park, WUSA9 reported Thursday.

One resident, who has lived near the park for almost 20 years, said she likes being around the corner from Rosemont-Lewis Park and worries about the increase in development and a rise in traffic if the school is built.

In July 2019, Prince William County school officials held a forum to discuss plans for a new elementary school at the corner of Crestwood Drive and Ashton Avenue, next to existing Rosemont Lewis Park. Officials said the new school would relieve overcrowding at Ellis Elementary and Mullen Elementary and possibly at other county schools, InsideNoVa reported.

The Prince William County Board of Supervisors voted 8-0 Jan. 14 to schedule a required public hearing Feb. 4 to hear comments on the land transfer. Construction of the school could begin as early as February 2021.