Near McLean in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Burling Defenders
The landowner, Edward Burling, died in 1967. His heirs tried selling the 336-acre Burling Tract property for use as a park. That failing, a developer bought it. Nearby homeowners learned of the housing-development plans, and a 16-month battle ensued. Outcry at public meetings, petition drives, a referendum vote, an injuction, media coverage, protest songs, and financial pledges finally overcame political foot shuffling. The will of local citizens prevailed. Burling Tract became Scotts Run Nature Preserve because people like you cared.
Think of all the kids who could see gates
Land is gone before you even know it
Save the Burling Tract before it’s too late
Protest song by Susan Daniel 1970 Langley High School student
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1824.
Location. 38° 57.951′ N, 77° 12.09′ W. Marker is near McLean, Virginia, in Fairfax County. Marker can be reached from Georgetown Pike (Virginia Route 193). The marker is located in Scotts Run Nature Preserve along a hiking trail. There are two trailheads located off of Georgetown Pike (VA Route 193). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7400 Georgetown Pike, Mc Lean VA 22102, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Unexpected Benefits in the CCC (approx. 0.4 miles away in Maryland); Working Hard To Survive (approx. 0.4 miles away in Maryland); The Lock-Keepers (approx. 1.7 miles away in Maryland); Swing-Gate Locks (approx. 1.7 miles away in Maryland); Old Georgetown Pike Ancient Indian Trail (approx. 1.8 miles away); Repairing the Breach at Anglers (approx. 1.8 miles away in Maryland); Drop Gate Locks (approx. 1.8 miles away in Maryland); At All Hours (approx. 1.8 miles away in Maryland).
More about this marker. The background of the marker is a photograph captioned County homeowners, citizens groups, high school students, and conservationists together saved these woods you now enjoy.
There are two photos inset in the marker captioned Students, young children, and parents (top) protest the developer's bulldozing of the Burling Tract, July 1970. and A student mourns the losss of Burling Tract trees taken by the developer's bulldozer.
Also see . . . Scotts Run Nature Preserve. HikingUpward.com (Submitted on May 9, 2010.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 12, 2019. It was originally submitted on May 9, 2010. This page has been viewed 1,690 times since then and 40 times this year. Last updated on October 20, 2018. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 9, 2010. 5. submitted on October 20, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.