Fiasco at the Manassas Battlefield

William L. Tyler
Published: September 2, 2008

The article regarding the Manassas National Battlefield Park and the Prince William Authority will hopefully lead to someone listening to the average visitor. This 5200 acre park, until recently, has been
under Superintendent Sutton.

Mr. Sutton told you what you like whether you wanted it or not. The fiasco with the cutting of the 140 acres of old trees to improve the view is a good example. We lose enough trees to forest fires and
along comes someone who destroys 140 acres of old oaks for historic “accuracy.”

I don’t need to know exactly what spot is the one where Stonewall Jackson had his latrine. An even bigger disregard for the public was the digging up of the 50-year-old road at Chinn Ridge. A newspaper
article came out about “gays” meeting at Chinn Ridge; to which Mr. Sutton’s assistant said, “We are not removing the road for that reason, but the removal will certainly help.” Many protests to the
removing the road and the cutting of the trees were ignored as usual. The MNBP said they would do an environmental study on the cutting of the trees.

Give me a break! Mr. Sutton and a few Civil War zealots wanted the cutting. For 50 years, the road at Chinn Ridge took visitors to the Webster monument and scenic overlook. Now, most visitors to Chinn
Ridge are too old, have small children or do not have time and so these sites are seldom seen.

Mr. Sutton claimed he wanted to attract more visitors. Mr. Sutton then digs up the road at Chinn Ridge, eliminating 30 prime parking spaces. With only 10 spaces left, weekend visitors can’t park and turn
around and leave. I think its great to have this green area in our midst; but the park is not just for a few Civil war scholars. The average visitor needs to have some input too. 

WILLIAM L. TYLER

Manassas