Department of Conservation and Recreation
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Department of Conservation and Recreation
Media inquiries: Please contact Dave Neudeck, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5053.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: November 19, 2020
Contact: Starr Anderson, Public Relations and Marketing Specialist, 540-460-1540, starr.anderson@dcr.virginia.gov
Land acquisitions expand Clinch River State Park
Kennedy and Hill properties raise total acreage in St. Paul to over 400 acres
RICHMOND, Va. - The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation has purchased an additional 193 acres for Clinch River State Park. Two of the three acquisitions consist of tracts located in the town of St. Paul, adjacent to the Sugar Hill Tract purchased in August 2019.
Discussions about these transactions began in 2018. Purchase of the 56-acre Kennedy Tract was completed on Aug. 28 of this year, while the Hill Tract acquisition, 136 acres, was closed on Oct. 2. A portion of the 2016 Virginia Public Building Authority bond funds for acquisition and development was used to purchase the land.
“The addition of these two tracts of land will allow DCR and our community partners the opportunity to begin development planning of the Sugar Hill Unit in St. Paul over the coming year,” said Virginia State Park’s Western Field Operations Manager David Collett.
With these latest acquisitions, including another pending addition known as the 1.023-acre McIntyre parcel to be closed by the end of the year, six tracts of land have been brought together to form Clinch River State Park. The park now encompasses 640 acres in both Wise and Russell counties, with additional river access points planned in the future. The Sugar Hill Unit in St. Paul and Artrip Bent Unit, located upstream of the town of Cleveland, are the two anchors for the park.
Already part of the Sugar Hill property when purchased by DCR were 9 miles of pedestrian hiking trails, a picnic shelter and access to fishing along the riverbank. These trails have continued to be accessible to the public. The master planning process will begin in 2021, which will guide any future facilities.
“The future of Clinch River State Park is exciting and we look forward to working with the public and partner organizations in Southwest Virginia to develop a wonderful recreation experience for all,” Virginia State Parks Director Dr. Melissa Baker said. “The park will help bring development and economic strength to the area.”
Once opened, Clinch River State Park will be Virginia’s first “blueway” park, consisting of two anchor units and several smaller car-top launch sites for river access, making a “string of pearls” along the Clinch River. The new park will play a key role in the region’s ongoing efforts to protect one of the most biologically diverse places on Earth.
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