Moyaone Reserve Homes for Sale

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The Moyaone Reserve (pronounced moy-own with emphasis on the second syllable) is a heavily wooded community nestled near the Potomac River in the Piscataway National Park’s scenic easement, straddling the Prince George’s/Charles county line, 20 miles south of the U.S. Capitol. It is surrounded by 2000 acres of beautiful woods and fields and parkland, with miles of riverside and woodland hiking and biking trails.

Named for a Piscataway Indian village that occupied the site until 1623, this nature lover’s paradise was designed to ensure that the view from Mount Vernon across the river would never be marred by development. Its 180 houses, most on lots of five acres or more, are tucked under canopies of hardwoods along miles of private gravel roads.

What the Moyaone Reserve has become over the past 60 years is a testament to the foresight and environmental awareness of a small group of people long before such was fashionable, as well as to the continued efforts of the Moyaone Reserve Association, the Accokeek Foundation and the Alice Ferguson Foundation.

In the 1920s, Henry and Alice Ferguson sought a 10-acre refuge from the city, but ended up purchasing 130 acres called Hard Bargain Farm overlooking the Potomac River across from Mount Vernon. For decades, their weekend retreat attracted a lively group for Saturday afternoon cocktails, Sunday volleyball games, archeological digs and nature watching.

The Fergusons gradually purchased hundreds of adjacent acres and began selling land to their friends. After Alice’s death in 1951, Henry set the stage to preserve Hard Bargain for environmental education programs by establishing the Alice Ferguson Foundation.

But changing the landscape isn’t the goal in the Moyaone Reserve; preserving it is. Before cutting any trees of six-inch diameter or more, homeowners have to get permission from the National Park Service. But preserving the beautiful natural landscape is not the only aim of the Moyaone. The push for preservation is part of the effort to protect the Mt. Vernon “viewshed”, ensuring that the view from Mount Vernon would be protected in perpetuity and that Mount VernonÕs one-million-plus annual visitors, as well as local residents, can enjoy virtually the same view as did the first president.

Today, Moyaone houses range from a one-bedroom cottages to a grand houses with an indoor swimming pools. No two are alike. What they all do have in common is convenient access to kayak and canoe launch sites, no house is too far from the neighborhood swimming pool and community center, there is an outdoor amphitheater with concerts and theatrical events, and two environmental education foundations.

Community activities include the Homegrown Coffee House, Ferguson Players, Summer Concerts, Swim Team, Weekend Pool Potlucks, Ecosystem Farm CSA, Accokeek Foundation National Colonial Farm, Alice Ferguson Foundation Environmental Education Hard Bargain Farm, Oktoberfest, Spring Farm Fest, Nature Trails, Boardwalk along River, Biking, Birding, Hiking, Fishing Pier, Boat Access and more! An altogether remarkable, friendly and undiscovered gem of a real neighborhood to live in the country yet only 20 minutes from the bustle of DC, National Harbor and Alexandria!

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