The organization Friends of Mathews Heritage Park on Tuesday again asked the Mathews County Board of Supervisors for permission to enter the Billups Creek site by water and begin preservation of an old house and restoration of a deteriorating dock on the property. The board gave itself a 30-day deadline to make a decision on the request.

Janice Moore of Deltaville said the group has grant applications ready to go that would provide funding to complete Phase I of the project without road access, and that educational institutions and organizations are seeking opportunities to pursue educational endeavors at the site.

Hudgins resident Chris Davis told the board that the project has volunteers who are enthusiastic, capable and professional to lead the efforts, and that such leadership would create a wellspring of support for the work that needs to be done. Developing the park would be good for the county as a whole, he said, because of its educational and environmental aspects.

Waterway...