Visiting Balls Bluff

One of the things I love most about living in Leesburg is the fact that I'm surrounded by history. When I moved here, I was excited to discover there was a civil war battlefield a mile from where I lived. (Before you think that this is just an entry about history, bear with me, we'll be tying it into development soon enough.)

So this afternoon, my father and I went for a walk through Balls Bluff Battlefield. I know, we're a little crazy for walking around outside when it's 97 degrees and humid, but it's something we wanted to do. Both of us are history buffs, and my great-great grandfather fought in the Civil War.

If you don't know, Balls Bluff was a battle fought at the beginning of the Civil War, after First Manassas. In the battle, one of Lincoln's closest friends, a Senator from Oregon, was killed and the Union forces were routed and driven into the Potomac.

As we walked under the lush trees in the thick humidity, dad and I talked about the fact that Americans fought and died on the very ground we were standing on. As we walked down to the Potomac, we looked up at the steep ridge behind us and thought about the men running under fire to drown in the river.

On one of the plaques I noticed that the park was dedicated in 1993, thanks to the hard work of a local Judge. It called to mind the fact that my development was built in 1993. I can only imagine the local fight over development that occured leading to both the park and the nearby developments. And I can only be grateful that 1. my development got built - and a house I could afford was here when my wife and I were looking for a home and 2. concerned citizens fought, and succeeded, in creating Balls Bluff Regional Park, preserving both our local history, and beautiful woods that I will share with my children.

In my mind, the essence of good development is compromise and a respect for the place in which the development is occurring. My neighborhood, I feel, is an example of good development. We have good parking, parks, streets designed for walking and biking, with collector roads channelling traffic efficiently, playgrounds, and easy access to stores and services within walking or biking distance. And the fact that we have a park like Balls Bluff nearby is an incredible addtional asset and advantage.

So I just wanted to say thank you to those, back in the early 1990s, who had a hand in creating my community. I promise to do my best, as a citizen, to be a good steward of the community you built.

[update] Lest I forget, Kelly Burk has been a fantastic advocate for Leesburg's Parks. When we elect her to the Board of Supervisors, Loudoun County will return to a regime of smart growth, and community consciousness.