Big green globs of hydrilla water grasses sit on the narrow road leading to Aquia Landing.
Workers cut back droves of the invasive plant and installed a temporary dock along the park's bank this week to make way for pontoon boats, which will give visitors a closer look at the Godspeed next weekend.
Parks & Recreation Director Greg Sager says the recent touch-ups are just a final dusting before company comes. His maintenance staff has spent the past six weeks preparing the beach area for the thousands of people expected to attend the Aug. 19-20 Discovery Days Festival.
"This park is my Charlie Brown Christmas tree," Sager said. "It just needs a little love and tenderness."
The Godspeed, the latest replica of one of three ships that landed at Jamestown in 1607, will dock at the mouth of Aquia Creek and the Potomac River late in the afternoon on Aug. 18. Stafford is one of several stops on the ship's East Coast tour, aimed at creating publicity for the historic English settlement's 400th anniversary next year.
County officials have been planning the Discovery Days for about a year. Sager said sprucing up Aquia Landing has required two to three times more work this year than normal. Extra costs have been less than $10,000.
"It didn't get this way overnight," he said.
The entrance road has been paved, sand tilled, benches installed, parking lot regraveled, fences painted and trash collected. And more work is scheduled for next week, as tourism officials transform the strip into a history village--complete with artisans, musicians, displays, activities and vendors.
County supervisors have been anxious to see the improvements, as well.
"There's clearly a direction from the board that this is our chance, our moment in the sun." Sager said.
Aquia Supervisor Paul Milde said he hoped people who come to see the Godspeed will be impressed with the park, and decide to come back later.
"It's always been beautiful and always been there," he said. Discovery Days "is not just the type of thing that will bring people from out of town," he said. "It's to remind people that there's a beach right here in Stafford County."
Aquia Landing currently draws more picnickers than anything else. The shelters stay packed, but there are usually just a few people using the sand and swimming areas.
"It is incumbent on us as a county and a department to use this and not squirrel it away," Sager said.
Aquia Landing saw an initial rebirth after Hurricane Isabel blew through in 2003, flooding the park with 6 feet of water and destroying many of the structures there.
"It's sad, but the hurricane really gave us a chance to start over here," Sager said.
When the Godspeed leaves, his office plans to discuss ways to maintain interest in Aquia Landing. That may include changing entrance fees, providing hours of operation or planning more events that draw people to the site.
A $76.8 million parks and recreation bond referendum, which voters will consider this November, has about $1 million earmarked for renovations and installation of trails at Aquia Landing.
"It's like turning a sow's ear into a silk purse," Sager said. "This may not be a silk purse, but it's going to be a really really nice sow's ear."
To reach MEGHANN COTTER:
Email: mcotter@freelancestar.com