“A playground, a basketball court, a tennis court. Is that all there is to Collingwood Park?” I ask myself. Of course not. Collingwood Park is more than just recreational amenities. It’s a place steeped in local history.
Collingwood Park is owned by the Fairfax County Park Authority. It’s a county park. The park is larger than a football field. It offers various activities. You can play baseball or softball. There is also a mixed-use field and open space.
Collingwood Park offers amenities. These include a playground and picnic tables. There is also seating available. The playground is medium-sized. The playground surface is made of wood chips. Shade is limited in the playground area.
Pets are allowed on a leash in Collingwood Park. Trash cans are available. The open space is larger than one football field. There is little to no shade in the open space either.
You can enjoy various open space activities here. Play frisbee or catch. Go for a walk or jog. Have a picnic. You could even do yoga in Collingwood Park.
But let’s talk about the story of Collingwood, the mansion. The historic mansion was once located near Collingwood Park. It was listed on the Fairfax County Inventory of Historic Sites. The mansion was first built in 1859. It was significantly altered and expanded in the early 20th century. Sadly, the mansion was demolished in 2019.
Collingwood’s history traces back to George Washington. The property was once part of his Mount Vernon estate. It was known as River Farm. The land was purchased by Washington in 1760. A small residence was built around 1785. It was for Washington’s overseer, Sam Johnson. During this time, the property became notorious. It was used as a site for duels.
The name Collingwood is believed to come from Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood. He was an associate of Tobias Lear. Lear lived on the property. After Washington’s death, the land passed to his nephew’s descendants.
In 1859, a part of River Farm was sold to the Snowden brothers. Isaac and his wife Anna lived at the Wellington mansion. Stacey and his wife Sarah lived at the Collingwood estate. Snowden used the land as a dairy farm.
The property was sold several times. In 1922, it was sold to Mark Reid Yates. Natalie Yates remodeled the house in the 1930s. She added the portico and columns. She operated it as a tea room and restaurant. During World War II, it was used as a school for military intelligence.
The National Sojourners purchased the mansion in 1977. They used it as their headquarters. They inaugurated the Collingwood Library and Museum on Americanism on the site. The library contained about 7000 books. It had numerous artifacts.
Tyler Murrell purchased the property in 2015. He is part of the Five Guys restaurant chain family. Despite its rich history, a permit to demolish the mansion was granted in 2019.
So, while Collingwood Park may seem like just another park. It is a place with a deep connection to American history. It reminds us of the land’s past. A past that includes George Washington and a historic mansion. It is a past now gone. The park is still here for us to enjoy today. It’s a place where history and recreation meet. A testament to the ever-changing landscape of Fairfax County.