Leesylvania is an area rich in both beauty and history. Situated along the Potomac River, it was born to Revolutionary War hero Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee and father to Civil War general Robert E. Sherman.

Today, Leesylvania State Park is a beloved destination for outdoor adventure and wildlife watching. It boasts five hiking trails, an observatory tower, fishing pier, boat ramp, visitor center, picnic shelters and even its natural sand beach.

City Hall

City Hall serves as the central gathering point of city government and serves as a gathering spot for residents of Leesylvania. Each year it hosts over 400 meetings and events including City Council, Planning Commission, School Board meetings, court proceedings, public hearings and special community activities like weekly Farmers Markets year-round as well as Memorial Day and Fall Festivals.

It also houses the Police Department, Fire Department and Water Department. Situated in downtown Leesylvania at King Street and Market Square, this building serves a vital role for city services.

Neabsco Creek Valley was once home to an Algonkian Indian village that overlooked Neabsco Creek. Captain John Smith visited in 1608, and Henry Lee II settled the land in 1747 with his wife Susan; they had eight children together – including Revolutionary War hero Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee and future Civil War general Robert E. By 1857, Captain Smith had already abandoned this region for good, leaving only seven acres for cultivation left behind by Lee II’s parents.

City Hall is an iconic landmark that has served the community well for many decades. However, extensive renovations are necessary due to asbestos contamination and how its electrical and mechanical systems were originally installed.

Public Works

The City’s Public Works Department provides a range of services, such as street maintenance and capital improvements, storm water management, sewer maintenance/repairs, sweeping, trash hauling, right-of-way beautification, solid waste collection – just to name a few! Their Administration and Engineering Division is housed at City Hall while operations and fleet maintenance is handled out at Pickett Road’s City Property Yard.

Leesylvania State Park is one of Virginia’s newest and northernmost state parks, boasting an array of recreational activities such as fishing piers, beaches along the Potomac River, picnic areas, boat rentals/launching facilities, and camping areas.

Henry Lee II, father of Light Horse Harry Lee, rests atop a moss-covered knoll near his gravesite. Additionally, 110 foot bluff overlooking the Potomac River was once used as a Confederate battery during the Civil War. Other attractions in the park include a 20-station fitness trail, visitor center and gift shop; plus Jean C. Smith Amphitheater offers 400 seats with exhibits about marine history.

Parks & Recreation

Parks & Recreation is the department responsible for maintaining parks, greenways, trails and built structures to facilitate sport, recreation and arts activities. Services offered include recreation activity programs, athletic leagues, special events and environmental education initiatives.

The department’s staff is responsible for offering recreational opportunities to citizens of Leesylvania City. Among its many facilities is a state park situated along the historic Potomac River and listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks; it provides numerous hiking trails, picnic areas, fishing holes and boating opportunities.

Best practices suggest the Recreation Department create and maintain an asset inventory of all properties, facilities and equipment before a disaster strikes. This record helps determine loss, damages and complete necessary insurance and FEMA paperwork; it also reduces time and effort needed to restore lost or damaged items after a crisis.

Community Development

Community Development is often associated with affordable housing and utility infrastructure, but it actually encompasses many other services that contribute to creating a healthy and vibrant community.

Community development is the process of working with communities to address social and environmental problems. This can be accomplished through various methods and techniques.

Kenny (2007) identified four core values of self-determination, inclusion, democracy and social justice that underlie its foundations. As such, it provides communities with power by empowering individuals.

Furthermore, social media helps communities become more cohesive and connected to one another, leading to a variety of long-term advantages such as improved health outcomes.

Community development professionals encompass a range of professions, such as social work, adult education, youth work, health disciplines and local economic development. These individuals apply community development methods and values to their work in an effort to build stronger and more inclusive communities.