Laurie Crofford: Managing a Park for All People
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By Leonard Shapiro
n 88 gorgeous acres halfway between Marshall and The Plains, there are walkers and runners of the two-and four-legged variety, cyclists and scooter riders, fishermen (and women) and bird watchers, playing fields and playgrounds and so much more. They call it the Northern Fauquier Community Park, a hidden treasure when it first opened in 2007 on land donated by Paul Mellon, the late Upperville philanthropist. These days, it has Laurie Crofford at the become a popular destination for area residents, park office. and some from well beyond. In May of 2021, Park Manager Laurie Crofford estimated a record 38,000 visitors drove in off Route 55 to use the facility. Similar numbers are soon expected as a cool, rainy spring turns into a typically steamy Virginia summer. The meticulously maintained venue is a place where a child can learn to catch and release fish in several ponds filled with bass, bluegills, carp and catfish. There are baseball and softball diamonds, football and multi-use fields suitable for soccer, lacrosse and rugby. With 1.75 miles of paved paths, the park is the perfect place to count steps, miles or whatever Photos by Leonard Shapiro fitness goals walkers, runners, in-line skaters Park benches are located and cyclists might have in mind. There’s a recently all around. installed beach volleyball area, as well. Leashed dogs are welcome, as long as the you-know-what is picked up and deposited in special cans. Native plants, trees, meadows and wetlands abound, easily viewed from benches all around. Crofford majored in recreation and leisure services at Radford and has been involved with other park facilities her entire career. She started as an assistant manager with the Fairfax Park Authority, where an important perk included meeting her husband. “Coming out here seemed like a good fit,” she said. “I wanted to be outside, and thought this would be a nice change. I’ve been here ten years, so I guess it’s been a really nice change.” Among many responsibilities, she handles rental reservations for eight sheltered pavillions—most equipped with outdoor grills and picnic tables—and an amphitheater. They’ve been used for weddings, graduations, birthday parties, concerts, political fundraisers, garden club meetings and, of course, picnics. On most pleasant weather weekends, they’re all usually occupied. “They are super popular,” Crofford said. “And if they’re empty, people can just walk up and use them.” The Mellon estate has contributed over $14 million to build, maintain and improve the park over the years, including the funding for that new volleyball area. New meadows are being planted, tree and shrub identifications are being added, and an unpaved nature trail also is in the works. “They definitely have input,” Crofford said of the Mellon influence. “If there’s anything major we want to do, we always run it by them. They wanted stone walls everywhere. They wanted the tree plantings to be mostly native. We’ve had a great relationship with them.” Crofford also has a terrific relationship with her three-man staff of Bruce Worrall, Devin Ayres and Tom Shotwell, all on the park staff right from the beginning. They clearly take great pride in maintaining the grounds. “Those three guys are the backbone of the park,” Crofford said. “We’re all equals. And the people who come here are always super nice. They always tell us how much they love the park.” Honestly, what’s not to like?
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