Status of 2002 Bond Projects

On Nov. 5, 2002, nearly 70 percent of the electorate in Virginia voted in favor of the Virginia Parks and Natural Areas bond referendum. The $119 million bond included many capital improvement projects, which are among the most difficult a state agency undertakes. The bond also called for acquisition and development of three new state parks and 10 new natural areas, and additions to 11 parks and eight preserves.

The bond was needed primarily to help develop parks - Belle Isle, James River, Shenandoah River, Wilderness Road - purchased under a 1992 bond. It also provides greater outdoor recreation opportunities and enhances tourism and increases the economic benefits of parks to state and local economies.

What did the bond provide?

• $119 million, approved by 69 percent of voters
• $36.5 million for land acquisition
• $4.5 million to prevent severe shoreline erosion at several parks
• $78 million for much needed construction, improvement, trails and repair projects throughout the park system

Park projects completed

• Bear Creek - cabins, meeting facility, upgraded utilities
• Belle Isle - campground, visitor center
• Chippokes Plantation - campground, water system, renovated camp store, new maintenance area, repaired historic structures
• Claytor Lake - cabins, meeting hall, upgrade marina
• First Landing - uUpgraded campground, new bathhouses
• Grayson Highlands - renovated visitor center, improved campground utilities
• Hungry Mother - campground acquisition
• James River - campground, cabins
• Kiptopeke - overnight facilities
• Lake Anna - cabins, campground, linen building
• Leesylvania - new picnic shelter, rebuilt boat piers
• New River Trail - expanded water system
• Occoneechee - cabins, equestrian campground
• Pocahontas - cabins, expanded campground
• Staunton River Battlefield - renovated Mulberry Hill
• Wilderness Road - visitor center, various parking, paving projects
• York River - boat launch dredging

Under construction

• Chippokes Plantation - tenant houses
• Douthat - equestrian campground
• Hungry Mother - new utilities, campground, bathhouse
• Mason Neck - visitor center, ranger residence
• Natural Tunnel - cabins, campground
• Pocahontas - equestrian area, improved roads, parking
• Shenandoah River - cabins, new campground, visitor center
• Smith Mountain Lake - shoreline erosion control, boat launch parking lot
• Staunton River - renovated visitor center
• Twin Lakes - new shop

A few photos - click to enlarge
Bathhouse, First Landing State Park	Visitor center, Wilderness Road State Park	Visitor center, Wilderness Road State Park	Picnic shelter , Leesylvania State Park
Family lodge, Kiptopeke State Park	Visitor center renovations, Grayson Highlands State Park	Campground in the making, Pocahontas State Park	Improving campground facilities, First Landing State Park
Improving campground utilities, Grayson Highlands State Park	Mulberry Hill Mansion renovation, Staunton River Battlefield State Park	Camping cabins, Pocahontas State Park	Six-bedroom family lodge, Claytor Lake State Park