Update: Today, March 5th, the Board of Supervisors voted to reject the park proposal in a 3 to 2 vote. To read more about thier decision see the Clarke Daily News article available online.

Email the Clarke Board of Supervisors Let the Board know that you support the Cool Spring Battlefield Park plan. Take Action!

As it is envisioned, The Park would include interpretive displays, walking trails, and restoration that would return the property to the 1864 landscape and create extensive riparian buffers along two miles of frontage on the Shenandoah River — a state Scenic River.

Some Background The Civil War Trust (CWT), whose mission is to preserve America’s Civil War Battlefields, has a contract to purchase the 194 acre Virginia National Golf Course property. This property is a substantial portion of the 1864 Cool Spring Battlefield.

The CWT plans to place the property under a permanent conservation easement with the Department of Historic Resources, and then to donate the property to the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NVRPA) to create and administer a Battlefield Park commemorating the 1864 Battle of Cool Spring and providing public access to the Shenandoah River. However, in order for this to happen, the County must join as a member of the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, through adoption of a resolution, and agreement to an annual membership fee of $65,000 (based on a per capita formula). The fee will cover all costs associated with the restoration, interpretive displays, and continuing administration and promotion of the Park.

Hear More from the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority At the Feb 21st meeting, Paul Gilbert, Director of the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, will provide information and answer questions concerning how the NVRPA plans to administer and manage the park. This is an important step in the process, as some residents have voiced questions about how public access on the property could affect their community. To help answer these questions the Authority has written a Proposed Management and Operation Plan for the prospective park.

Voice Your Support This is a rare opportunity for the community to protect a beautiful natural space as well as some of our historical heritage. The creation of a park would provide the public with the opportunity to explore and experience nearly 200 acres of the Cool Spring Battlefield, which is among one of 384 Battlefields listed in the Civil War Sites Advisory Commission Report as worthy of preservation.

Please take a minute to send the Board of Supervisors a quick email voicing your support for the park concept.

Please contact Don Loock, ([email protected]), PEC’s Clarke Conservation Officer with any questions.