Department of Conservation and Recreation
Conserve. Protect. Enjoy.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Media inquiries: Please contact Dave Neudeck, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5053.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: March 02, 2023
Contact: Kim Wells, Public Relations and Marketing Specialist, 804-217-1077, kim.wells@dcr.virginia.gov
Bear Creek Lake State Park completes initial renovations and upgrades to campground
(Editors: Follow this link to download an image. Photo caption: Bathhouse after renovation at Bear Creek Lake State Park)
Cumberland, Va. – Numerous renovations have been completed at Bear Creek Lake State Park including campsite upgrades and a new bathhouse. This is just the first phase of upgrades at Bear Creek Lake.
The park’s new bathhouse will be ready to use this camping season in April. It underwent a major remodel to become ADA compliant and better serve the guests at Bear Creek Lake. The new bathhouse features convenient, private family shower rooms along with major energy-efficiency modernizations.
“The interior lighting and exhaust fans are on occupancy sensors to save energy when not in use,” Bear Creek Lake Park Manager Joey Dayton said. “The new bathhouse is very energy efficient and uses tankless water heaters, waterless urinals and LED dark sky compliant lighting.”
Work on the bathhouse began at the end of 2021 and forced the campgrounds to be closed last year. The staff took advantage of this time by making more upgrades to camp sites.
“There were four campsites in Chestnut Loop that have been upgraded to a 50-amp electrical service,” Bear Creek Lake State Park Assistant Manager Mark Cossa said. “The sites have been made larger to accommodate the modern and much bigger RV's. The ADA campsite also features a sewer hookup.”
The updates are one of many ongoing projects to upgrade all campground facilities in Virginia State Parks.
“This project was important because it provided fully accessible facilities for camp site visitors,” said DCR Director of Planning and Recreation Resources Kelly McClary. “Four campground bath house projects are being completed statewide to systematically update existing facilities within the State Park system. Bear Creek Lake's Chestnut Campground project is the first of those to achieve completion.”
Virginia State Parks have Master Plans that allow projects like this to stay on track and on budget. They are usually updated every 10 years and include improving the park’s amenities.
“There are more upgrades coming next year,” Dayton said. “We plan to upgrade all campsites to the 50-amp service as well as remodel the Acorn Campground Bathhouse. The new bathhouse along with the campsite upgrades will improve the guest’s camping experience, and we are excited to be a part of that.”
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 reserve one of the more than 1,800 campsites or 300 climate-controlled cabins, call the Virginia State Parks Reservation Center at 800-933-PARK or visit www.virginiastateparks.gov.
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