Just Like Nothing (else) on Earth: Potomac Crossing Park 

By Tim Jon

My memory mostly consists of an immersion in green. The lands lying between the paved (or mown) surfaces and the Potomac River in northeast Leesburg strike me—during the growing season, anyway—as a riot of growth and fertility. 

I’ve traipsed many of the trails under the jurisdictions of Balls Bluff Regional Park and—a bit further downstream and in the direction of our nation’s capital—Red Rocks Wilderness Overlook Regional Park. 

Between these two juggernauts of outdoor space lie a handful of preserves set aside by the County Seat, and administered by its Parks and Recreation Department: Veterans Park near Ball’s Bluff, Edwards Landing, closer to Red Rocks, and in the middle of these two we find Potomac Crossing Park. Like I said, that’s a lotta ground, and during the warm-weather months, that’s an almighty lotta green. 

My most recent foray into the relative wilds of these nearby river parks took me to the midpoint in the collection—Potomac Crossing—just off Shanks Evans Road, off Battlefield Parkway—in the upper right-hand-corner of your Leesburg map. 

The visit began innocently enough, with a quick perusal of the Park placard—with a general lay of the land, and to me—an intimidating number of trails, in very curvy lines of differing colors—which always look vastly different than the actual ‘boots on the ground’ visual experience of moving through the acreage. Yes, I saw the trails clearly enough: an earth-toned path roughly shoulder-width, beckoning ever forward. 

That’s when—again, for me—the innumerable (and clonelike) trees and virtually impenetrable undergrowth take over. And for one suffering from (or enjoying, depending on your point of view) periodic spells of vertigo, the vegetation almost seems to take on the characteristics of two or four-legged creatures—independently moving like the dreaded apple orchard in the film, “The Wizard of Oz.” 

But I soldiered on, until (at least I think) my trail linked up with that of Balls Bluff Park to the north, then reversed course and—more or less—met another connection with Edwards Landing in the south, with some at least partial Potomac River views along the way. And, I’m not sure if the relatively earth-bound members of the forest were enticing me further into their world, or if they were actively shooing me away—back to the familiar ground of the parking lot—but some of my senses kept telling me that “Those trees are moving again!” And, indeed they were, as all things remain relative. Those smaller bushes weren’t fooling me, either. 

But, lo and behold, my way out of the forest became apparent, as an increasing amount of light shone through the leaves with each set of steps, and as civilization neared, the trail widened and eventually I could make out the children’s playground apparatus and the park pavilion, and yes, my beloved vehicle with a half-cup of iced coffee. But, the world of green had done its work. Close my eyes, remember the few visual signals of trail, leaves, tree limbs and uneven ground— and I’m back in the swirl of every imaginable tint of that wonderful colr. May it ever be so. 

I fervently hope even after I’m too old to get out and ramble on those (and of course, many other) local trails, I can at least walk the nearby neighborhoods, and enjoy the familiar, annual riot of growth and green, almost within reach. And, if I live long enough to only be able to enjoy it on an overhead map, so be it.

Local, State and National Parks, to me, and hopefully anyone possessing a soul—should remain inviolable, and beyond price. If I should witness the loss of the world of green, with its confusing network of trails, its swirl of colors—and yes, its ‘walking trees’—I’m certain I’d feel as if I’d lived too long. The very nature of Nature to me, is its very ‘ungovernability.’ It’s wild, so Let It Be. 

And, while I find myself in a bit of an unusual situation—perched atop a soapbox—I’d like to commend the foresight of the local committees, Town Councils, County Supervisors, State Legislators and National Representatives who possessed not only the foresight and intelligence to plan for these natural amenities, but the courage, determination and hard work to carry these projects through to completion. Ladies and gentlemen, let’s keep going.