Protecting Virginia’s Great Outdoors

Virginia is home to many special places. From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the James River to the Chesapeake Bay, Virginians are lucky to have so many beautiful, unique places to hike, swim, fish and recreate. 

Virginia’s state parks provide the opportunity for Virginians and tourists alike to enjoy our outdoors and build community. Additionally, our parks provide habitats and healthy ecosystems for nature to thrive. 

Fast Facts about Virginia State Parks

• Virginia is home to 42 state parks.
• In 1936, Virginia became the first state to have a park system when the original six parks were opened on the same day.
• In 2020, nearly 8 million people visited a state park in Virginia. 
• From the gorgeous mountains in Southwest Virginia to the beautiful beaches along the Atlantic coast, Virginia State Parks have something for everyone.
• Visitors to our parks enjoy over 700 miles of trails and a variety of waterways to swim, kayak or fish. Easy access to the Appalachian trail is a feature of many parks along the Blue Ridge Mountains.
• Virginia State Parks are the cornerstone of community events year round including the Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel at Natural Tunnel State Park in Duffield or star gazing at Sky Meadows in Fauquier County.
• The newest state park in Virginia, Sweet Run was dedicated in 2023.

Virginia State Parks need better funding

Unfortunately due to current funding models and competing budget priorities, Virginia’s park system is struggling to keep up with the demand for public outdoor recreation. According to a report from Department of Conservation and Recreation:

• “The total identified funding needs for Virginia State Parks is $158,753,697. With a current general fund appropriation of $21,617,218 and a 5-year average state park revenue stream of $25,700,000, a gap of $111,436,479…is recognized.”
• In addition to being underfunded, there was a $240 million backlog on maintenance. 

Consistent funding for Virginia’s state parks

In order for Virginia to experience the full benefits of its state park system, consistent funding is needed. Well funded parks are essential to maintaining trails and facilities, funding educational programs, attracting visitors and expanding the state park system. 

More funding for parks means more protected wildlife, more lightly-touched, iconic landscapes, and more immeasurable benefits for Virginians exploring the great outdoors.

There is no shortage of options to fully fund our parks. The Department of Conservation and Recreation outline several pathways including:

1. A specific sales tax allocation (other states have used a sales tax on sporting goods)
2. Vehicle registration fees
3. Waste disposal fees
4. Corporate income tax 
5. Natural resource extraction fees
6. Substantial increase in general fund support*

*It is critical that we identify a path that provides our parks with consistent dedicated funding. While substantial increases to general fund support would benefit Virginia State Parks, a dedicated revenue stream would provide the most sustainable funding. 

Virginia can match Texas

These dollar amounts aren’t small, and securing the funding won’t be easy. But we know that support for our parks is bipartisan — among decision makers and the public. Take for example, Texas. The legislature passed a Republican-led and bipartisan proposal to dedicate $1 billion to new state parks, which put it on the ballot for voters to decide. 

Decide they did! Nearly 77% of Texas voters voted yes for new park funding, and as a side note, Grammy winning singer Kacey Musgraves narrated a video from Environment Texas in support. 

The point is that if Texas can invest in state parks, you better believe Virginia can, too. 

Let’s fund Virginia’s parks

Virginians and tourists to our lovely commonwealth love our parks. It is time that we make them as vibrant as possible. We can and should continue to protect more wild places for future generations to enjoy and for wildlife to thrive. 

That will take dedicated funding. Let’s get it done, Virginia.