Department of Conservation and Recreation

Media inquiries: Please contact Gary Waugh, gary.waugh@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5045.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: November 13, 2006
Contact: Gary Waugh, DCR Public Relations Manager, (804) 786-5045, gary.waugh@dcr.virginia.gov

Draft outdoor recreation, conservation and open space plan to be presented at local meetings
Presentation to include local recommendations

(RICHMOND, Va.) – A new draft of the state’s outdoor recreation, conservation and open space plan, including local recommendations, will be the focus of public meetings held in Charlottesville, Staunton, Culpeper and Front Royal. Planners from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation will present the draft Virginia Outdoors Plan at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. meetings at the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission office in Charlottesville, Tuesday, Nov. 28; the Central Shenandoah PDC in Staunton, Wednesday, Nov. 29; the Culpeper County Library, and the Warren County Government Center Community Room in Front Royal, Thursday, Nov. 30. These are among more than 40 meetings to be held statewide Oct. through Dec.

The Virginia Outdoors Plan is the state’s official conservation, outdoor recreation and open space guide. All levels of government and the private sector use it in determining and meeting land conservation, outdoor recreation and open space needs. Recommendations in the plan are also used as one of the tools in ranking projects for Virginia Land Conservation Foundation funds.

“The VOP has long been an important tool in meeting Virginians’ outdoor recreational needs,” said DCR Director Joseph H. Maroon. “With Gov. Kaine’s commitment to land conservation, this plan takes on added significance.”

The plan is revised every five years. As part of its revision, DCR staff have updated the outdoor recreation resource inventory, conducted a statewide Virginia Outdoor Survey with assistance from Virginia Commonwealth University and last fall held a series of 40 public input meetings statewide. Among the topics brought up in those meetings were trails and greenway linkages, water trails and scenic waterways, urban greenspace, eco-tourism and nature deficit disorder. Local outdoor recreation and conservation recommendations also surfaced. Recommendations found in the draft plan include:

For Charlottesville and Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa and Nelson counties:
- Consider acquisition of land for a state park that will provide public access to waterways.
- Protect large blocks of native forests and high-quality stream corridors.
- Develop a trail linking the City of Charlottesville to the Blue Ridge Mountains.
- Continue development of the Blue Ridge Railway Trail, a joint project between Nelson and Amherst counties.

For Harrisonburg, Buena Vista, Lexington, Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta, Bath, Highland, Rockbridge and Rockingham counties:
- Implement the 2000 Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Management Plan.
- Complete development of the Great Eastern Trial through the Alleghany Mountains.
- Designate the historic Valley Road, Route 11, as a Virginia Scenic Byway. Continue efforts to protect the natural and scenic resources of Skyline Drive, Blue Ridge Parkway and the George Washington- Jefferson National Forest.
- Support development of equestrian trails in the region including the Alleghany Highlands Horse Trail, a 45-mile system connecting trails in George Washington National Forest in Alleghany and Bath Counties with trails in Douthat State Park.
- Develop a horse-drawn buggy/bikeway along Rt. 42 from Dayton to Harrisonburg.
- Identify and develop appropriate access to the Recreational rivers in the region.
- Implement the Central Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Plan and incorporate recommendations in local plans.
- Implement development of the Jackson River Scenic Trail as 17-mile greenway and water trail from Alleghany County to Lake Moomaw and extending into Highland County.

For Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, Orange and Rappahannock counties:
- Consider acquisition of land for a state park along the Rapidan River in Madison or Orange County.
- Adopt and implement the draft RRPDC 2006 Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan.

- Expand the Warrenton Branch Greenway in Fauquier County.
- Improve public access to recreational streams in the Rappahannock and Rapidan river systems.

For Winchester and Clarke, Frederick, Page, Shenandoah and Warren counties:
- Implement the 2004 Walking and Wheeling plan for the Northern Shenandoah Valley.
- Continue development of the Green Circle in Winchester connecting Abrams Creek Wetlands Preserve to Apple Blossom Mall and Old Town Winchester.
- Implement the 2000 Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Management Plan.
- Develop and protect a corridor for The Great Eastern Trail through the Northern Shenandoah Region.
- Develop a managed system of water trails providing access and recreational use areas along the Shenandoah River.
- Designate the historic Valley Road, Route 11, as a Virginia Scenic Byway.

The Thomas Jefferson PDC is located at 401 East Water Street in Charlottesville. The Central Shenandoah PDC is located at 112 McTanly Place in Staunton. The Culpeper Public Library is at 271 Southgate Shopping Center in Culpeper and the Warren County Government Center is on 200 North Commerce Ave. in Front Royal.

The draft VOP is also available for review on the DCR website. Go to www.dcr.virginia.gov; click on “Recreation Planning” then on “Draft 2007 Virginia Outdoors Plan.” Comments will be accepted through Dec. 15, 2006 and can be sent to Vop@dcr.virginia.gov.

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