Montgomery County adopts Part Five of Montgomery Matters; planning commission adds action to explore Prices Fork park

Montgomery County's Board of Supervisors adopted Part Five of the Montgomery Matters comprehensive plan on June 22, approving the countywide future land use map and a set of village plans that include a new action item to explore park opportunities in Prices Fork.

The unanimous 7'0'vote followed a public hearing in which residents, volunteer stewards and conservation groups urged the board to support H.L. Price Park. "Any assistance that the county can give to help develop and preserve H.L. Price Park would surely be appreciated," said Jack Honorfrack, who described volunteer trail maintenance and equipment sharing among neighborhood groups.

Justin, a planning staffer presenting the draft plan to the board, said the final part of Montgomery Matters reflects extensive public engagement: nine village meetings, multiple public open houses, 13 planning commission sessions, surveys and roughly 2,800 staff hours plus about 2,300 consultant hours. He told the board the planning commission passed most village plans and the future land use map without change on a 9''to''00 vote, and passed the Prices Fork village plan 7'to'' with an amendment to add language about a future park.

Speakers at the hearing described local fundraising and title issues. "We took ownership of this park and have been maintaining it," said Randy Lemon of the Warm Hearth Village trail committee, who reported more than $68,000 raised toward title clearance and asked the board to consider a low-water bridge across Strubel's Creek to improve access. Fern Michella, president of the New River Land Trust, urged county involvement to protect the site's conservation and historic values.

The ordinance adopted by the board incorporates the planning commission's change and adds Action Item 20: "Explore opportunities for private and/or public park facilities to serve the Prices Fork community," with Parks and Recreation identified as the lead implementing department.

Votes at a glance: the Part Five ordinance passed by roll call with seven affirmative votes. During the same meeting the board also adopted an ordinance amending Chapter 8 to increase erosion and stormwater-management fees and approved a memorandum of agreement renewal with New River Community College's ACE program.

The board noted that the Prices Fork park remains privately owned and that county involvement could include planning, facilitation and coordination rather than purchase. The planning staff said the complete Part Five document and appendices will be posted online following the town presentations described at the meeting. The matter of specific park acquisition or capital funding was not decided; next steps will be staff analysis and follow-up work by Parks & Recreation and planning staff.