Open fires are prohibited throughout the park from midnight to 4 p.m. through April 30 per the 4 p.m. Burning Law. This includes wood and charcoal. Gas is permissible. Campground fires are allowed during the restricted time if a camp host is on duty and signage to that effect is posted in the campground. Failure to observe the 4 p.m. Burning Law can result in a fine. Contact the Park Office for additional information.

Read Our Blogs

Round Up for Parks

By Nancy HeltmanPosted August 12, 2018

 

Posted May 24, 2016 | Updated August 12, 2018

Coins are annoying. I am not sure which side of the great penny debate you are on (should we have a coin that costs more to produce than its value) but whether you want them to go away or not, I hate how pennies and other coins weigh down my purse or pockets. Worse yet, you are paying for an item and know you have the change the cashier needs but it takes so long to dig it out you hold up the entire line. One of life's embarrassing moments. 

Never fear, Virginia State Parks will help you out of the too much change dilemma. Next time you make a purchase at one of our parks, choose to "Round Up" to take the amount due to the next dollar amount, and you won't have all that loose change to carry when you are in your swimsuit.

Round Up for Parks is a great way to get rid of that loose change and make a difference at your favorite Virginia State Park (This is Smith Mountain Lake State Park)

Round Up for Parks is a great way to get rid of that loose change and make a difference

Pocket weights
Photo of these "pocket weights" courtesy of brownpau

State Park gift shops offer a variety of souvenir worthy products
False Cape State Park Visitor Center Gift Shop

This is completely optional but I can assure you that your donated change will go to support our parks just like every purchase you make with us.

The "Round Up for Parks" money will be deposited in our State Parks Projects fund which is used for the conservation, development and maintenance, and/or operation of Virginia State Parks. One hundred percent of the amount collected will be used to support state parks.

Enjoy this video from 2018 at Bear Creek Lake State Park:

Gifts with a view
Great view from the Sky Meadows State Park gift shop

Whether you chose to “Round Up” or not is up to you, and we appreciate your purchase. All purchases support the operations of the Virginia State Parks.

If you “Round Up” your purchase, please retain your receipt for your tax records. All donations are tax deductible.

Friendly staff help you complete your tranaction
Just tell our friendly staff to "Round Up."

So next time you visit a Virginia State Park, let us take that heavy, cumbersome change off you. We hope this update with the video above is an incentive, when you give that loose change it comes back around to benefit all park guests. Thank you!

 

Posted May 24, 2016 | Updated August 12, 2018

CATEGORIES
Gifts and Shopping  |  Government
SHARE THIS PAGE

If you have read the article and have a question, please email nancy.heltman@dcr.virginia.gov.

COMMENTS

Virginia State Parks (May 26, 2016 07:20:42 PM): Most of our parks have Friends organizations and they have donation boxes at collection points but it sounds like you have a good idea for the parks that don't. The fund our Friends collect also benefit parks. Thank you for your willingness to help.

Sue Leon (May 26, 2016 08:04:00 AM): We used to collect loose change in an old glass cider jug (the kids always had fun dropping coins in it). How about something like that at Visitor Centers, Park offices or gift shops? I'd be happy just to get the extra out of my pocket. Love the idea of rounding up also. Just a thought.

By Park