Gov. Glenn Youngkin eliminated $1.37 million in funding earmarked for a trail connector at Biscuit Run Park in Albemarle County when he vetoed numerous budget items on May 2.
The same veto action also ended, for now, proposed legislation to create Virginia‘s next state park: Historic Oak Hill in Loudoun County, the retirement home of the United States‘ fifth president James Monroe and where he wrote the The Monroe Doctrine.
Sen. Creigh Deeds entered the budget request of $1.37 million for the trail connector in the Virginia General Assembly. The funding would have been Virginia’s first investment in the project for a “walking trail that connects Biscuit Run Park to the future Monacan Indian Nation Tribute Park in the Southwood Mobile Home Park,” as reported by CVILLE Weekly.
“In 2018, it was determined by Gov. McAuliffe to be in the best interest of all Virginia taxpayers that Albemarle County assume responsibility for this park,” Youngkin wrote to explain his veto.
The county entered a 99-year-lease with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation in 2018 to open the site as a county park. Virginia had purchased the 1,200 acres in 2009 with the intention to create a state park, but certain funding was not available. The first phase opened in December 2024 with 8.5 miles of walking trails.
“With more than 50,000 visitors since it opened in December, Biscuit Run Park has quickly become a treasured part of our parks system,” Albemarle County Director of Communications and Public Engagement Abbey Stumpf told CVILLE Weekly.
Stumpf said that investments will continue, but the state funding would have sped up construction of the connector trail to make the trail compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The county’s lease with the state includes a section that Virginia will assist Albemarle County in raising funds for the park, but does not obligate the state to provide funds.
Meanwhile, the county will continue plans for two athletic fields, and a downhill cycling area in partnership with the Charlottesville Area Mountain Bike Club.
According to Habitat for Humanity, the connector trails from the park to Southwood are necessary for rezoning purposes.
Youngkin said he vetoed funding for Biscuit Run so that the state can cut spending and save money for a “rainy day fund” in preparation of upcoming federal funding cuts.
Related stories:
Preservation of James Monroe’s Oak Hill as state park rests with Gov. Youngkin
Efforts to create Historic Oak Hill State Park ‘delayed, not dead’ by General Assembly
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Rebecca Barnabi
