Oak Hill State Park Threatened: What can you do?

The Virginia Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee did not pass the bill that would have created Oak Hill State Park on President James Monroe’s 1,240-acre property in Loudoun County.

You can help by writing to the Governor and signing The Conservation Fund petition.
There were two factors that influenced the Senate Finance Committee. Some Senators objected because the park proposals they were backing were at the top of the queue to be established, and Oak Hill jumped in front of them; and some objected because they view state parks as a funding obligation in perpetuity.

In the 2/6/2025 Happenings Around the Blue Ridge Friends reported that the House Agriculture Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee’s voted unanimously to report out a bill that would authorize the Commonwealth to acquire the Oak Hill property south of Leesburg. The action by the House Committee followed the release of a detailed feasibility study outlining a long-term revenue strategy to support the project, which would include opening the manor house to the public and providing extensive outdoor recreation uses on the land surrounding the 86-acre core historic site. In 2024, the Loudoun Board of Supervisors committed $22 million to support the acquisition of the land. Also, an endowment is being established to support ongoing operational costs.

According to a press release by the Conservation Fund, which is strongly backing the creation of the parks “creating this park would not impact the state budget bottom line.”

A February 21 article in Northern Virginia by Maggie Roth quotes Heather Richards, the Conservation Fund’s lead on this project the “last hope” is that Gov. Glenn Youngkin will propose a budget amendment to create Historic Oak Hill State park.
The governor has 30 days starting March 1 start to create an amendment.

According to Richards “This isn’t over. While we’re incredibly disappointed the General Assembly didn’t fully recognize the potential of the incredible gift that’s being offered in Oak Hill, we are continuing to work with the Youngkin Administration and members of the General Assembly to bring what would be a truly incredible state park to fruition. The time is right for Virginia to permanently honor President James Monroe by protecting Oak Hill,”
In November, Friends joined with many other environmental/conservation organizations including the Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC), The Land Trust of Virginia and The Conservation Fund in a letter to both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. The letter requested the General

Assembly to authorize the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to acquire the property and create the necessary staff positions to begin operation of the park.

What Can You Do Now?

Friends is sending a letter to Governor Youngkin urging him to amend the budget to create the Oak Hill Historic Park.
We urge our readers to also send a letter in support of the creation of Oak Hill State Park. Please go to the Governor’s website (https://www.governor.virginia.gov/communicating-with-the-governors-office/ and click on contact at the top on the right.  That will bring up a form for you to complete which will be sent to him.Important points to mention in support of the park include:

• The statement by the Conservations Fund “creating this park would not impact the state budget bottom line.”
• Loudoun County has already committed $22 million to support the acquisition of the land.
• Aside from the main house, other structures remaining from Monroe’s time include a cottage, a smokehouse, springhouse, blacksmith’s shop, a square barn, and the stone Stallion Barn.
• Jurassic period fossils have been found on the property

In addition to sending a letter to the Governor please sign the petition that is being circulated by The Conservation Fund. The goal is 3,000 signatures. Sign here.