Department of Conservation and Recreation

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: October 24, 2005
Contact: Gary Waugh, DCR Public Relations Manager, (804) 786-5045, gary.waugh@dcr.virginia.gov

Seven Bends State Park dedicated
Donations help create Shenandoah River park

WOODSTOCK, Va. – With the waters of the Shenandoah River passing silently in the background, state and local officials today dedicated Seven Bends State Park in Shenandoah County, just outside the town of Woodstock.

The land acquisition for the future state park is one of three Virginians voted for as part of a $119 million bond referendum in 2002. The 1,066-acre park with nearly four miles of river frontage is the result of a purchase and two donations.

Dr. James R. Myers of Franklin, Ohio, donated the majority of the state park property. His gift of several parcels totals 675 acres. A bronze plaque honoring his donation and his family was unveiled at the end of a brief ceremony held on the property at the river’s edge. The plaque will hang in Seven Bends State Park after its future opening to the public.

The town of Woodstock is in the process of donating 85 acres to the new state park. Town officials were also instrumental in attracting state planners to the area and introducing the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, managers of the state park system, to Dr. Myers.
The first parcel for the new state park was the purchase of the 306-acre Camp Lupton property. The national nonprofit

Trust for Public Land negotiated the purchase of the property on behalf of the state. The land was bought using general obligation bond funds.
“Land donations have long been an important part of the development of Virginia’s state park system,” said W. Tayloe Murphy, Jr., Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources.

“With the pace of development in the state, donations such as those by Dr. Myers and the people of Woodstock are more important – and appreciated – than at any time in our history. And, we continue to rely on valued partners such as the Trust for Public Land.”
The 2002 state parks and natural areas bond provided funding for the acquisition of a Seven Bends State Park but did not include development or operating funds. A state park master plan must be created before the state can start development.

“We are all anxious to get this park opened. However, first we need to develop a master plan using a very public process,” said DCR director Joseph H. Maroon. “We need to have the people of this area and the state give us their ideas regarding what they want to see in their new state park.” DCR intends to start the Seven Bends master planning process in 2006.

Once developed, Seven Bends will be the 35th state park. Virginia State Parks provide access to the variety of landscapes that make up the commonwealth. The parks offer a range of facilities and activities including camping, cabins, swimming, hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, picnicking and more. Last year state park visitors spent more than $150 million in the areas surrounding parks during their visits.

For more information on Virginia State Parks call toll-free 1-800-933-PARK or visit online at www.dcr.virginia.gov.

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