NOVA Parks and philanthropists Chuck and Stacy Kuhn recently held a deed signing event at Springdale, a 128-acre property the Kuhns have donated to the inter-regional parks agency. The purchase of the property, which overlooks the Potomac River in Loudoun County, was possible through the Kuhns’ donation of half the value of the land ($900,000) and an equal grant from the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). The LWCF is a federal program which provides 50 percent matching funds to state agencies and localities for the acquisition and development of outdoor recreation resources.
In addition to Mr. and Mrs. Kuhn, owners of JK Land Holdings, JK Moving Services, and CapRelo, NOVA Parks Chair Cate Magennis Wyatt and other parks officials, Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Chair Phyllis Randall and other supervisors, representatives from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation were also in attendance.
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation deemed the property eligible for this federal grant because it met the criteria of the Virginia Outdoors Plan (VOP) goals for land conservation. The VOP aims to protect undeveloped land and waterways that provide essential benefits to society, such as clean air, clean water, food, fiber, open space for recreation, and a sense of place. The VOP prioritizes land along major rivers, like the Potomac.
The purchase saves the property from residential development and offers the opportunity to enhance the natural habitat and to offer future families to visit the park, experience nature, and learn about its rich history. The property was once an important area for Native Americans, who fished along the nearby Heater’s Island.
Founded in 1959 as a conservation organization, NOVA Parks (Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority) is the only regional park authority in Virginia. It represents three Northern Virginia counties and three cities—Arlington County, Fairfax County, Loudoun County, the City of Alexandria, the City of Falls Church, and the City of Fairfax. The regional agency manages 34 parks with 12,335 acres of parkland, including waterparks, golf courses, campsites, historic sites, event venues, boat launches, annual holiday light shows, and a high adventure ropes course.
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