Ashby Pond
Ashby Pond is a public pond in the city that underwent a major dredging and retrofit project, the only such public pond in the city.
In October 2024, a construction contract of $1,695,000 was awarded to Sager's Construction Corporation for the dredging and retrofit work. The project was partially funded by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and was undertaken to advance the city's Chesapeake Bay and Accotink Creek pollutant reduction goals under TMDL action plans and the Phase 3 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan. By February 2026, the Ashby Pond dredging and retrofit was reported as substantially completed, alongside the Stafford Drive stream restoration.
A ribbon cutting ceremony and Fishing Derby were held on April 11, 2026, marking the project's public completion; the event was subsequently confirmed as having taken place, with a PRAB report in May 2026 noting it was a "big fishing derby." The pond has historically required dredging on roughly a 10-year cycle due to significant siltation from stormwater runoff.
What members have said
- Unattributed council/commission member (2025-05-06 bus tour comment)
During a May 2025 discussion following a bus tour of city facilities, a speaker noted that Ashby Pond is significantly affected by runoff-driven siltation, that dredging appeared to follow roughly a 10-year schedule, and that the cost of the operation is 'not insignificant,' expressing implicit concern about the recurring nature of the expense.
- Unattributed council/commission member (2026-02-03 sustainability/TMDL comment)
In February 2026, a speaker highlighted the Ashby Pond dredging and retrofit as one of several projects substantially reducing the city's pollutant-of-concern load, and expressed strong personal interest in continuing to track progress with staff and council toward the 2028 Phase 3 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan deadline.
Positions as recorded in meeting minutes; votes without recorded comment aren’t summarized.
Discussion time
councilcommissionMinutes of named discussion per transcribed meeting, Oct 22, 2024 onward.
History
Filled dots are actions on this topic; open dots are mentions.
- Mar 12, 2026Parks and Recreation Advisory Board · item 8aParks and Recreation Department Report – Upcoming Events and Programs
Ashby Pond ribbon cutting and Fishing Derby is scheduled for April 11th.
- Parks and Recreation Department Report – Upcoming Events and Programs
The Ashby Pond ribbon cutting and Fishing Derby is scheduled for April 11th.
Discussed alongside
Topics that come up in the same meetings.