Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced today that he has amended the proposed state budget to allow for the creation of Historic Oak Hill State Park. The property is the estate of former president James Monroe.
According to The Conservation Fund, the organization backing the park’s creation, Youngkin spoke in support of the park. A revised budget should appear on the state budget website soon.
“After careful consideration and — I have to say, an enormous amount of arm twisting and a site visit with Del. Geary Higgins — our package of budget amendments includes language to authorize the consideration of establishing Oak Hill, the historic home of Virginia governor and fifth president of the United States James Monroe, as a state park,” said Youngkin.
Legislation to make the property a state park failed in the state senate. The General Assembly will consider the governor’s amendment on April 2 as part of a one-day reconvened session.
“We are grateful to Gov. Youngkin for embracing the opportunity to create Historic Oak Hill State Park. This would preserve the only privately owned home of a presidential Founding Father and offer hiking, fishing, and equestrian trails alongside this one-of-a-kind piece of history. I look forward to working with Virginia’s lawmakers to fully realize this opportunity,” said Heather Richards, The Conservation Fund’s lead on this project.
Historic Property
The property in question spans 1,240 acres and once belonged to James Monroe, known for creating the Monroe Doctrine. Monroe acquired the land in 1794 and completed construction in 1823.
The current owners wanted to sell the land to Virginia at a discounted rate.
The park will include hiking, fishing, equestrian trails, and cultural education opportunities, according to The Conservation Fund.
Loudoun County’s Board of Supervisors already approved $22 million in funding for the land. And preservation groups have created a trust fund to maintain it.
“All of the funding necessary to purchase, open, and operate the park will come from local, private, federal, and already dedicated state sources. Virginia is being offered a first-of-its-kind park that comes with an operating endowment and start-up capital to meet its staffing and operational needs,” The Conservation Fund said.
Feature image courtesy The Conservation Fund
