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Department of Conservation and Recreation
Media inquiries: Please contact Dave Neudeck, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5053.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: June 30, 2016
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Virginia State Parks announces future state park in Loudoun County
RICHMOND, Va. – On June 14, 2016, 604 acres of the ~900-acre Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship land preserve, donated by the Robert and Dee Leggett Foundation to the Old Dominion Land Conservancy, were acquired by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.
Representatives from DCR, Virginia State Parks, the Robert and Dee Leggett Foundation, and the nonprofit Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship that has been managing the land held a brainstorming meeting on June 27 to begin the process of establishing an interim management plan.
“We look forward to working with stakeholders, the community and General Assembly as we flesh out the details of a short term arrangement with the Blue Ridge Center board of directors for the continued operation of the site and work on the long-range goals in developing the site’s master plan,” said State Parks Director Craig Seaver. Master planning for a state park is a public hearing process in which an advisory committee and public groups meet to discuss development of the park.
Located in western Loudoun County, the acquired land mainly consists of protected forests, streams and wetlands accessed by foot trails. The land will remain open to the public during this interim period. Blue Ridge Center Board President Gregory Miller noted, “We look forward to developing an innovative public-private partnership to sustainably manage these extraordinary natural and cultural resources for current and future generations.”
“We are excited to add to the heritage of Virginia and the Blue Ridge Mountains by continuing the good works of the Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship to conserve and interpret this site,” said DCR Director Clyde Cristman. “We will take advantage of the proximity of the land to the Appalachian Trail and hope to create an official blue-blaze connecting trail to it.”
Virginia State Parks are managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. For more information about Virginia State Parks activities and amenities or to make a reservation for one of the more than 1,800 campsites or 300 climate-controlled cabins, call the Customer Service Center at 800-933-7275 or visit www.virginiastateparks.gov.
For questions and media inquiries contact: Gregory A. Miller, Ph.D., President, Board of Directors, Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship at gamnature@AOL.com.
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