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Board hears proposals for botanical garden, tennis/pickleball courts, disc golf and a nonprofit hub; gives general consensus to pursue MOUs
Summary
Nonprofit groups and residents presented plans to use unimproved county land near the new high school for River Roots Discovery Gardens, a public tennis/pickleball complex, a relocated disc golf course and an umbrella nonprofit called Dream Chasers United; the board gave general consensus for staff to negotiate memoranda of understanding so groups can pursue grants and pilot projects.
Several community groups presented competing but complementary proposals on Nov. 20 to use unimproved county land adjacent to the new high school in Hills Quarter.
River Roots Discovery Gardens: Brett Dawson (District 1) introduced a plan for a 501(c)(3) public garden to support conservation, wetland learning and school-based outdoor classrooms. Sarah Monroe, a consultant, said River Roots aims to begin stakeholder outreach in early 2026 and that the group is seeking a memorandum of understanding that would signal official county commitment and help leverage funding.
"We will root these gardens not just in, but with the community," Monroe said, describing wetland boardwalks, community garden plots and outdoor classrooms for students.
Northern Neck Racket Association: David Dew (District 3) presented a separate proposal for six tennis courts and six pickleball courts sited near the botanical garden and Bridal Trail. Dew said the association has formed a 501(c)(3), drafted bylaws, and is pursuing grant funding; presenters said a United States Tennis Association (USTA) revitalization grant of roughly $250,000 required an application by Nov. 30, creating an urgent need for a board-level acknowledgement to proceed.
"We believe that access to healthy recreation should be available to all," Dew said. Logan Brent, a high-school sophomore who testified for the group, said local courts would create youth opportunities and enable tournaments that could bring visitors and revenue.
Disc golf: Deadrise Disc Golf representatives (Marcia Jalinski and partners) asked for access to county property and nonfinancial maintenance support via an MOU after their existing course is being developed. The presenters cited PDGA guidance that an 18-hole wooded course typically requires 15–20 acres and said an adjacent private parcel owner had offered about nine acres.
Umbrella nonprofit 'Dream Chasers United': Presenters outlined a proposal to form a coordinating 501(c)(3) to operate programming at the county's old high school and surrounding athletic fields, provide centralized fundraising and scholarship support, and contract with affiliates for programming. The group suggested a corporate board structure with affiliate seats and an executive director liaison to the county.
Board reaction and next steps: County staff told the board all three organizations had provided draft MOUs and asked whether the board gave a general consensus to proceed; several supervisors voiced support for the ideas and asked staff and the county attorney to work on MOUs that address noise, lighting, term lengths and the county’s reservation of rights if future needs require repurposing of the land.
What’s next: Staff will work with the county attorney to draft or revise the MOUs and return to the board with final documents for formal consideration; some presenters said pilot projects could begin within 12–18 months while master planning would take several years.
