The Town of Dumfries has a history as a waterfront entity. In colonial times, Dumfries was a busy deep-water port shipping iron, tobacco and other crops from its port. At the start of the 19th century, silt from nearby plantations began filling the port – making it inaccessible to large ships and ending its desirability as a shipping port. 

The Town just finalized a deal to purchase 161 acres of land next to Quantico Creek for $3.9 million dollars with plans to develop it into a mixed-use waterfront development including trails, cultural and recreational spaces. This development is part of the town’s Destination Dumfries 2044 plan, a twenty year plan for the future. 

The funds to purchase the land came from a larger bond earmarked for capital improvement projects. Funding to build the waterfront district will come from grants, funds and revenue from the recently opened Rose’s Gaming Resort which opened last year.

14 acres have been set aside as available for this development. A large portion of the 161 acres of land are designated as wetlands. The Town secured a $1million EPA brownfields grant to complete environmental assessments, community outreach and cleanup to preserve the wetlands.