Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Opens New Mason Neck Gateway Kiosk
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Six public land management agencies representing federal, state and local authorities dedicated a new wayside exhibit with a ribbon cutting ceremony November 1, 2014 at the roadside kiosk located at the gateway of the Mason Neck Peninsula. Members of local community service organizations and private members of the community attended the celebration and heard from each of the partners who made the exhibit design and construction possible. The six partners of the Mason Neck Peninsula public land partnership include: Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Virginia State Parks, Pohick Bay Regional Park Authority; and Gunston Hall, the 18th-century home of Founding Father George Mason.The Mason Neck peninsula is an important land feature approximately 18 miles south of Washington, D.C., located in Fairfax County, Virginia. The informational kiosk, situated on BLM-managed public land, will orient visitors to the peninsula about the natural and cultural resources managed by the Mason Neck public land partnership. Attendees to the event browsed original artwork displayed by students from the adjacent Gunston Elementary School, munched kettle corn and sipped hot chocolate while mingling with an 18th century resident of the peninsula who may have inhabited Gunston Hall.The partners began working seven years ago to develop the concept and implement the design of this visitors' wayside information center. All were represented at the event, including John Reffit, the former acting Lower Potomac Field Station Manager during much of the construction phase. Speakers on the program included: John Ruhs, BLM Eastern States Director; Don Briggs, Superintendent, Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail; Daffny Pitchford, Refuge Manager, Elizabeth Hartwell NWR; Scott Stroh, III; Executive Director, Gunston Hall; David Stapleton, Assistant Manager, Mason Neck State Park; and Todd Benson, Pohick Bay Regional Park and Golf Course.A variety of opportunities are available on the Mason Neck such as camping, hunting, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, boating, mountain biking, birding and wildlife viewing; and access to a rich cultural and revolutionary period history. Many of these activities and programs are accessible for people with a range of mobility. The partners work every day to ensure barrier free programs and facilities.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.