Thank you for taking the time to accept comments about the outdoor spaces offered by Virginia. Here are some of my general thoughts and ideas. 

• The Northern Neck is an often overlooked area of Virginia but is filled with so much. Offering water access and public swimming areas would help a great deal. Also making sure that the area can stay true to its roots and remain an oasis from the Northern area of VA.
• More open programs (like bay clean up) for the public to take part in and learn from.
• Better promotion of any programs there already are.
• Working with schools to help create a program about taking care of the areas in Virginia would help make sure that our youth are nature-focused as they grow up.  Planning FUNDED field trips with schools at different stages to different areas.
• Jr Ranger programs that have kids hands-on in the water or different areas to help take care of the spaces we have. 
• Affordable summer camps that help highlight the nature VA has. Both day and overnight camps.
• Clean bathrooms at trailheads. 
• Removing invasive plants and trees and working with local counties to make sure they are planting native plants and trees. 
• Making sure that trails are properly cared for year-round. 
• Offer more deals to VA residents, for camping, cabin rental, trail use, etc. 
• Working with campgrounds to help keep them clean and safe for all who wish to go camping. 
• More splash pads.
• Offer more well-maintained Equine trails.
• Westmoreland County would really use a few parks like Warsaw. 
• While getting into nature often means putting the phones away, when things happen, having the ability to make a phone call is very important. Please work to have the best cell coverage possible. 
• Work with local geocaching groups to help bring people into areas and to help keep tabs on areas that may not be visited often by others. 
• Find some way to help with overcrowding, loud music, and large parties in public areas. 

Thank you!

I was able to look through the draft Virginia Outdoors Plan (VOP) with ease and quickly found information that I was interested in reviewing- Good Job! The on-line structure is concise and digestible.  The accessability for both local governments and the public is a good way to bring this important document into the public arena and make sure that it's utilized.

Policy documents like this are too often phonebook-like stacks of pages held in binders that gather dust on office shelves. The Plan is the opposite. I commend the authors and designers for creating a robust web-based component that is dynamic and user-friendly. The storymap format seems like an excellent way to create a "responsive" document that meets the needs of planners, policy professionals, and the general public alike. Congratulations on a thoroughly modern Virginia Outdoors Plan. 

Overall the new format has a great potential for getting detailed data on some things. 

Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

Comments:

• It does not do a good job of recommendations based on regional survey results.
• Many of the big topic areas from previous VOPs are not even searchable; or could not be found when searched [i.e. byways, scenic rivers, trails] These are important to many regions. 
• A concern is that the recommendations are too general and most are only related to Natural Heritage and not recreation. There should be recommendations by region, even if they are the same ones as the state, I expect that the priorities are different based on region. 
• It would be nice to have a table of contents and an index. Not just for looking things up, but for knowing what is available. 
• The introduction starts out with a recommendation. It needs some context - explain why the new format, what one can expect to garner from the plan, how to use the plan, etc.
• The descriptions of the state and federal lands and the corresponding maps are a great asset. 
• State Parks - have the outline for state parks in another color other than yellow, green perhaps, as it is not very legible. Have a link from the park metadata to the state park master plan page or have a link to all the master plans from the title. There is mention of the new master plan process at Southwest Museum, then have a hotlink to the plan. 

ArcGIS StoryMap is fine as a complementary tool but is completely inappropriate to serve as a standalone draft plan.

Please post the draft Virginia Outdoors Plan in the form of a standard text document as soon as possible so that authentic public engagement and review may commence during this extremely abbreviated comment period that began during a holiday week.

I moved down to Virginia from New York because of my love of nature! Here we have magnificent trees and boundless waterways, especially for kayaking. Years ago I came here by Greyhound Bus just for a week of camping and hiking in clean air! Only thing keeping me in NY was caring for my mother (who refused to move to Virginia!) Now my own health has gone downhill but I know I’d be dead if I still lived in NYC!

Hello, thank you for providing this time period for the public to digest and reflect on this very comprehensive 5-year-plan. As an avid outdoor recreational user and enthusiast, outdoor recreation is my sole priority when exploring both new and familiar places.

A few thoughts on the plan:

• An additional "Gallery Card" specific to Wildlife Habitats Protections and "Minimal Impact" tourism-generated visitation. A "ground-up" approach to sustainable outdoor recreation development that aligns with wildlife and resource protections. A key component of "land conservation," rather than a byproduct, in my opinion.
  • Think of Virginia's Southernmost State Park- False Cape State Park and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge for reference. Accessible only by hike, bike, and park-operated tram for visitors to experience and gain a deeper understanding of the importance of wildlife habitat and natural resource protection. The area is home to some 54 rare and endangered species that rely on these undisturbed and diverse habitats to exist. Folks visit this park, whether by tram for senior and accessibility needs, or by foot, bike, or e-bike.
• Additional mentions of the importance in protecting/ expanding wildlife refuges.
• An emphasis on visitor centers as hubs of land conservation and wildlife, guest safety knowledge and adequate and future staffing for educated wildlife, resource, and conservation rangers with knowledge to inform the public on their areas and how to have minimal impact on protected areas.
• Educational programming on biodiversity and Appalachia's Temperate Rainforest/ such a unique and special natural resource asset with needs to be protected for future generations. I like your sections on "youth programming" and getting younger generations interested in the natural world with hands-on educational programming.
• Under Section 1.1:  Recommend "Fund and expand natural areas protection efforts and wildlife corridors, as well as staff who are educated and informative on wildlife, resource protection, and conservation in their areas" in addition to improvements of resiliency." Protect the resource/ source.
• Under Section 2.1- Add a breakdown of outdoor recreation by type- I.e. "Human-Powered:  hike, bike, backpack, bike-pack, horseback, kayak, paddleboard, raft, fish and Motorized/ Assisted: ATV, off-road, e-bike, all-terrain wheelchairs (Could further breakdown by environment- water, land, air (skydiving, base jumping, bridge rappelling).
• Under Section 1.3 "Future Considerations," What about considering implementing new programming such as a model similar to Colorado's new "All-access State Park Pass?" Implement state parks access programs. CO's model is a $29 annual vehicle registration fee which provides users with a pass for all state parks, which resulted in generating funding for outdoor affiliated partners ($41 million in revenue for CO in a fiscal year benefitting partners like local search and rescue, state parks, etc.).
• Under Section 2.1.4- Love the overarching ideas presented in this section. Safety, physical/ mental health benefits of being in nature- from survey respondent. SO much great information here, it's a lot to scroll and digest. What about summarizing it to headers/ subheads with external links to "read more?" Breakdown categories by "safety, regional maps, health, etc.?"
• Under Section 2.3/ Storymap- Would like to see a chart that unites the differing partners, emphasizing the importance of the mutual connection rather than individual listing/ maybe a pie chart or visual representation with option to "learn more" about each.
• Great mention of "greenways" and survey responses with protections on "natural areas" and "native flora and fauna." Maybe some additional programming for visitor centers on pollinator gardens and native plants.
• Love this response:  “Recreation planners should consider converting previously disturbed natural areas within developed parks into nature-based recreation areas, and seek opportunities to connect developed and natural area parks with greenways and adjacent parcel acquisitions that support trails, and can serve as wildlife corridors.”
• **Provide further funding for case studies to similar areas that are doing just this^ like Costa Rica national parks– Manuel Antonio– wildlife areas are protected with a greenway for tourists/ visitors that does not disrupt animal habitats off the path/ additionally this economy thrives on outdoor recreation and adventure tourism, with a similar forested environment.
• Under Section 3.1- A more dominant early emphasis on "biodiversity" and "ecological restoration"
• Great mentions under ecological restoration and tribal community involvement as opportunities- "Build from the ground up" approach:  Habitat Protections>Wildlife/ endangered species Education/ Protections> Biodiversity Education> Invasive Species Removals>Training/ Programming>Sustainable Outdoor Rec/ Parks Development>Trails Maintenance/ Future Staffing>Tourism/Visitor Growth>Continued Funding for Conservation/ Preservation
• Emphasis on education, tools, and funding for volunteerism/ training/ stewardship
• Kudos on the mention of Dark Skies

Overall, great job on the in-depth content and availability of information! The format seems to be user-friendly for the digitally adept. I would suggest, in light heart, a consistent format from one "Gallery Card" to the next, as they seem to each have their own "flow" that can seem chaotic when trying to navigate as a collective guide/ plan.

Thank you to everyone involved in putting this together, and thank you for your thought to survey respondents and future generations. 

This plan looks well put together, from the lessons learned to the funding to the project. Most important is the conservation of Virginia Wildlife and expanding outdoor activities for residents and visitors. Great to know that the challenges of the plans are there and to be addressed. 

The Northern Neck of Virginia is blessed to have miles and miles of beaches many of which are not accessible to its residents and guests. The few that we do have, such as Hughlett Point,  has limited parking with the threat of towing. Please consider more public water access in the NNK. 

Please have more public beaches and places for people to fish. Please don’t shut out the local working class people. Don’t let the NNK become a playground for the rich. Don’t let the people with the big water front houses try to stop public beaches and fishing docks next to their homes.

While I understand the need for logging in the Northern Neck and across Virginia, the areas look like a war zone when the logging is completed. Cleaning up the area and replanting would go a long way in improving, the long-term protection of the forest, allowing future logging, and giving what wildlife has survived the logging a place to live.

Brian J Gaquin

Kilmarnock Va.

It would be great if there were public beaches in the Northern Neck, not only for tourism but for the community to have access to. 

Need to identify/procure/develop more public beach access areas with adequate parking. This should include beach areas that may only be accessible via boat. 

Prior to the pandemic, DWR sponsored two Becoming an Outdoor Woman (BOW) at the 4-H camp in Appomattox.  The program doesn't seem to be continued post-pandemic. I urge this outdoor plan to include resuming BOW workshops to ensure it is indeed comprehensive and inclusive.

Huge effort at sampling public opinions -- I appreciate that.  

But something is missing -- citizens, DCR, Virginia officials employees -- surely we all know that there is an urgency about protecting our land and all that live upon it.  "Ecological resiliency" may mean that to someone,  but hardly a phrase to express concern.  Recreation among trees is nice, wonderful even, but what are the threats to those trees?  And what is the value of those trees to much more than casual recreation -- shouldn't DCR include battling against the threats as important component of the VOP?  Trees' absorption of carbon, especially old trees, for example.  If that aspect of forestry isn't recognized, then trail-building can destroy the oldest trees without another thought.  The VOP should have a conscience.  Its grants should support projects based on that conscience, not just what a majority think is fun. (I do know the plan is more than "fun" but it fits that charge more closely than it should.)

The threats of global warming should be obvious, not just lurking un-mentioned in the background.  "Resiliency" as a single word doesn't quite indicate the complex issues involved.

A different issue: Dark skies are a particular interest of mine.  It's fine to encourage Dark Skies parks, but encouraging full-cutoff light fixtures in all our public buildings would go much further in reducing light pollution. Local governments' lighting ordinances and projects could use state support.

Finally, something to guide the public that picks up the VOP in how to use it would be helpful.  

Thank you for seeking out public comments.  

The Department of Conservation's latest draft of the Virginia Outdoors Plan (VOP) represents a significant shift from the comprehensive and regionally focused approach of prior plans. While previous plans have offered comprehensive background information and community-specific narratives that showcased the unique attributes and needs of various regions, the current draft doesn't quite achieve the same level of detail and specificity.

The innovative use of story maps in the new plan offers visually appealing and interactive elements, but it also places a greater burden on readers to actively connect and navigate the content. While the story maps are a modern addition, they should supplement rather than replace clear, concise explanations and data presentations. It is crucial for the plan to convey its messages explicitly and accessibly to ensure stakeholders can easily understand and implement its recommendations.

To enhance the new draft, we propose the following recommendations:

• Accountability: Create an implementation matrix with all recommendations on one page and more background on who is implementing the recommendations of the plan (Example - Pennsylvania's SCORP)
• Economic Impact Data: Update data to reflect 2022 figures from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (Outdoor Recreation Supports Virginia's Economy, Section 1.2)
• Executive Summary: Develop an executive summary that provides highlights of the plan and recommendations (Example - Colorado's SCORP)
• PDF Version: Add a PDF version of the plan for accessibility purposes and for organizations to reference page numbers when applying to grants
• Transparency: Include names of the members of the Technical Advisory Committee and the timeline of the Virginia Outdoors Plan
• VOP Archive: Include VOPs since 1965

The Department of Conservation should also foster a collaborative and inclusive partnership with members of Our Virginia Outdoors to develop the next Virginia Outdoors Plan. This will ensure the plan addresses the varied needs and interests of Virginia’s communities. Additionally, leveraging the coalition's connections can amplify outreach efforts, encouraging broader community involvement and support.

Our Virginia Outdoors thanks the dedicated writers and the entire team at the Department of Conservation and Recreation for their hard work, vision, and commitment in developing the  Virginia Outdoors Plan every five years.

This public comment for the draft Virginia Outdoors Plan is submitted on behalf of the organizations who are members of the Our Virginia Outdoors coalition. Our Virginia Outdoors is comprised of land trusts, trails advocates, outdoor recreation user organizations, and conservation groups committed to promoting Virginia’s outdoors for all and ensuring that everyone has access to Virginia’s remarkable natural resources.

Sincerely,

Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley

American Farmland Trust

Appalachian Trail Conservancy

Bike Walk RVA

Capital Region Land Conservancy

CASA Virginia

Chesapeake Conservancy

East Coast Greenway

Friends of the Lower Appomattox River

Friends of the Rappahannock

James River Association

Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE)

National Parks Conservation Association

Northern Virginia Conservation Trust

Piedmont Environmental Council

Potomac Conservancy

Rail to Trails Conservancy

Scenic Virginia

Shenandoah National Park Trust

Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition

The Conservation Fund

The Nature Conservancy

Trust for Public Land

Valley Conservation Council

Virginia Association for Parks

Virginia Bicycling Federation

Virginia Capital Trail Foundation

Virginia Conservation Network

Virginia Horse Council

Virginia League of Conservation Voters

Virginia Trails Alliance

Virginia's United Land Trusts

Washington Area Bicyclist Association

Wild Virginia

I cannot find reference in various parts of the document about existing or planned accessibility.  The plan should address the need for improved access for those with physical, intellectual, and other challenges and while the ADA compliance is required, VA and its localities should strive to meet to meet the ABAAS standards for Outdoor Recreation Areas to be more comprehensively inclusive

• The story map should be a supplement and not the sole "document." It's challenging to explore and navigate to specific sections. 
• Facilitate review and understanding by adding a page with all recommendations in one place and an executive summary.
• Update economic data to 2022.
• Include a list of the Technical Advisory Committee members and an outline of the process for the VOP including a timeline.
• Reference and incorporate the priorities of DWR’s State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) as well as DOF’s Forest Action Plan including corridors and connectivity.  For example, the SWAP identifies species and habitats in need of conservation.  It also identifies threats to them, one of which is human disturbance (including recreation). Address those priorities in a meaningful way. 
• Update NALCC 2007 to more current and accurate data, e.g. DWR GIS, instead of just providing a link to go to that site, use it to identify sensitive natural resources and planning.
• Acknowledge and address the role of outdoor recreation in the spread of invasive species and disease (a consequence and artifact of human disturbance/recreation) which, for a decade has been cited as one of the top 5 threats to fish and wildlife across the Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest US.

Great plan! Love having more accessibility, being able to navigate the hub is much better than ready a document. A bit more clarity on "where you are" in the document while navigating between different pages/tabs would be helpful.

The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) appreciates the opportunity to review and comment on the current draft of the Virginia Outdoors Plan (VOP).  The draft VOF brings an innovative approach to production of the plan, using story maps to present a wide range of information and analysis related to the public’s preferences and opinions on outdoor recreation in Virginia and as a source for guiding project selection during the Open Project Selection Process of Land and Water Conservation Fund grant rounds for the next 5 years of implementation.  The plan reflects the considerable effort undertaken by DCR to update the VOP, particularly during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

While recognizing the importance of the VOP and the effort to complete the draft plan, PEC also notes that there are opportunities to enhance, improve, and/or update the the plan, in both form and substance.  In this regard, PEC’s principal comments include the following:  

1. Difficulty Navigating the Plan.  The presentation of the draft VOP in a story map format provides an appealing and interactive approach that allows users to explore different aspects of the plan.  While PEC commends DCR for embracing this innovative approach to presenting the expansive survey and/or geographic information found in individual chapters, we found this format also diminished a reader’s ability to easily comprehend the plan’s context and priorities, whether local, regional, or statewide.  In short, this story map format requires readers to actively engage with the content and make connections between various sections and themes on their own. 

To address the challenges of navigating the draft VOP, PEC recommends that the plan (1) provide an Executive Summary that compiles the most significant findings and recommendations of the plan and (2) offer a searchable PDF version so that readers can more easily make connections between themes, factual information, recommendations, and priorities.  

2. Recognizing Scenic, Historic, and Cultural Landscape Conservation. Unlike prior Virginia Outdoor Plans, the current draft VOP does not appear to include discussion or recommendations that will further the conservation of scenic, historic, and cultural landscapes.  

We believe this consideration of the conservation of significant scenic, historic, and cultural landscapes is an important component of the VOP.  According to the 2018 Virginia Outdoors Plan, “The integrity of Virginia’s scenic vistas, which often possess a combination of natural and historic features, is susceptible to incremental degradation — ranging from isolated development to large linear infrastructure projects — that endangers the character of viewsheds” (2018 Virginia Outdoors Plan, p. 12-3).  The threat is even greater today given the demand for electricity and additional transmission and generation infrastructure created by the explosive growth of data centers in Virginia. 

Scenic and cultural landscape conservation is an essential element of Virginia's tourism economy. According to the 2022 Virginia Outdoors Survey, 54 percent of sample respondents rated scenery and scenic views very important when making travel plans, marking an increase over the 51 percent of respondents in the 2017 Survey.  The Appalachian National Scenic Trail and the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail highlight the significant intersection between scenic resource conservation and recreation.  

3. Restoring and Updating Regional Profiles and Features.  The draft VOP does not appear to have the detailed background for each Planning District that characterized the 2018 version. This omission makes the latest plan more generic and less connected to the specific needs and identities of the regions it aims to serve. This appears to be particularly evident with the omission of narrative about conservation of historic, cultural, and scenic resources by region.   

To the extent that regional priorities with statewide significance are identified, the draft VOP notes that the Featured Projects by Planning District represent “projects that were recommended by regional and local planners, and other stakeholders, at meetings held throughout the Commonwealth between 2018-2021,” and that “[M]any projects are continued from the 2018 VOP.” 

There is an opportunity to strengthen the implementation of the VOP in the coming years by incorporating Featured Projects from the 2018 VOP that were omitted in the current draft plan as well as conservation and outdoor recreation opportunities that have emerged since 2021. 

In and around the PEC nine county service area, a sample of notable 2018 VOP Featured Projects and prospective future Featured Projects that can or should be included in the current VOP include the following:  

VOP Region: Region 2 – Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission. 

Projects found in Region 2 – Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission that were identified in prior Virginia Outdoors Plans or emerging projects that can or should be included in the current draft VOP include:  

• Expand land protection and opportunities for recreational and wildlife connectivity around the Afton Gateway 

• Complete restoration of the Blue Ridge/Crozet Tunnel and develop connector trails on both sides of the tunnel in Augusta County 

VOP Region: Region 3 – Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission.

Projects found in Region 3 – the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission that were identified in prior Virginia Outdoors Plans or emerging projects that can or should be included in the current draft VOP include:  

• Develop Biscuit Run Park and Greenway 

• Implement the Rivanna River Blueway and Greenway

• Develop Rivanna River Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge (Albemarle and Charlottesville)

• Develop Ragged Mountain-Hedgerow Park trail connections. (removed but should be included)

• Implement Meadow Creek Greenway and Tunnel (Albemarle and Charlottesville)

• Implement Moores Creek Greenway (Charlottesville and Albemarle)

• Implement Norfolk Southern Rail Trail (Charlottesville)

• Complete Northtown Trail (Albemarle)

• Implement Northtown Trail Extension to Ruckersville (Albemarle and Greene)

• Implement Ruckersville to Standardsville Greenway (Greene)

• Complete McIntire Botanical Garden (Charlottesville)

• Presidential Precinct Trail (Albemarle)

• Implement the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission‘s Jefferson Area Bike Pedestrian Plan.

VOP Region: Region 4 - Northern Virginia Regional Commission

Projects found in Region 4 - Northern Virginia Regional Commission that were identified in prior Virginia Outdoors Plans or emerging projects that can or should be included in the current draft VOP include:  

• Implement the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Scenic Byway / Heritage Area

• Complete feasibility study and acquire Oak Hill as a state park, a National Historic Landmark that is key conservation priority in the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area and along the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National National Scenic Byway (Loudoun County)

• Complete feasibility study of pedestrian trail connecting Mt. Zion Church and the Aldie Mill, identified as key Interpretative Sites within the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National National Scenic Corridor Management Plan (Loudoun County)   

• Expand protection of the natural and scenic resources of the Bull Run Mountains, consistent with the Virginia Outdoors Foundation Special Project Area and the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National National Scenic Corridor Management Plan (Fauquier, Loudoun, and Prince William Counties)   

4  Balancing Energy Siting and Design with Conservation  PEC appreciates the draft VOP’s recognition that renewable energy sources are an important part of Virginia’s future energy generation portfolio.  We also note that the VOP quotes a source that states “While renewable energy sources have attractive emission characteristics, wind and solar generation are among the most demanding from a land use perspective (and will require) development of roughly 161,000 acres of available land."  Given the changing (and increasing) energy demand characteristics associated with data centers and other users, there are indications that substantially more than 161,000 acres of land in Virginia may be slated for conversion to renewable energy production, as much as 1 million acres.  In preparing the final plan, DCR may wish to update the 161,000 acre figure with more current projections for land conversion.     

5. Incorporating Other Plans and Data. PEC appreciates how the draft VOP incorporates links and/or references to numerous other plans and data sources that help inform the analysis and recommendations in the plan.  Additional plans and data sources that DCR may wish to reference in the final plan include the (1) Virginia Wildlife Corridor Action Plan ; the (2) Chesapeake Conservation Atlas; (3) the EPA's Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool (Version 2.3); and, to the extent possible, more open space and trail plans that have been developed by local jurisdictions.    

Inclusion of the above plans and data can help further inform conservation and recreation priorities as DCR works to implement the plan. 

6.  Accountability and Transparency.  The draft VOP indicates that a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) played a key role in coordinating the development of the plan and will have the responsibility for “measuring progress, making future recommendations and proposing future VOP priorities.  PEC was unable to identify in the draft plan the members of the TAC. 

In the spirit of both transparency and accountability, it is recommended that the final version of the VOP include the members of the TAC as well as other individuals and organizations that contributed to creating the plan.

As a senior citizen who bikes every day somewhere to me it is important that as we grow we look at biking trails to be included in planning for the future. I don’t own an electric bike “yet” but I think that they should be included in the planning as more people are buying them 

General Comments:

1. Although the digital Story Map layout of the draft 2024 Virginia Outdoors Plan is interactive, it can be confusing to use due to the inclusion of many links that lead to pages other than the draft plan. Having a .pdf version of the document that is laid out in order of each section would make it easier to navigate efficiently and circulate to folks that may not have access to computer resources.
2. The Executive Summary of the Virginia Outdoor Survey states that the survey questions were disseminated in two ways – through web-accessed and paper surveys sent to 6,100 households chosen from a probability sample, and through a crowd-source survey that was available via email, the Internet, and social media. This public engagement process seems to rely heavily on digital engagement with citizens and would benefit from including in-person engagement opportunities and mailings to sample populations specific to the 21 Recreation Regions identified in the 2018 VOP, rather than the four broad regions that are the focus of the draft 2024 VOP.
3. The Virginia Outdoor Survey seems to have only identified broad over-arching priorities and recommendations for the Commonwealth as a whole and lacks the identification of Recreation Region-specific priorities, which are important to identify for grant applications.
   1. In November 2021, DCR engaged with the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Recreation Region, and the following projects were discussed being carried over:
      1. Improving and promoting the James River Heritage Trail including the Upper James River Walk Trail and the Alleghany Highlands Blueways;
      2. Implementation of the Roanoke Valley Greenway and Blueway Plan;
      3. Implementation of Tinker Creek, Glade Creek, and Daleville Creek Greenways;
      4. Implementation of the Alleghany Highlands Trails system;
      5. Implementation of the Appalachian Trail Priority Landscape at Catawba Valley and McAfee Knob;
      6. Promotion and implementation of the 2016 Explore Park Adventure Plan;
      7. Promotion of Virginia's Blue Ridge Ride Center, an International Mountain Biking Association Silver-Level Ride Center;
      8. Design and implementation of in-river kayak parks; and
      9. Development of the Arcadia Initiative as a multijurisdictional effort to preserve large landscapes for the protection of wildlife migration and forest ecology;
   2. Also during the November 2021 meeting between DCR and the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Recreation Region, the following projects were discussed being added:
      1. Implementation of the Franklin County Blueways;
      2. Developing and fully opening Green Pastures Recreation Area;
      3. Closing the gaps in the Alleghany Trail, part of the Great Eastern Trail; and
      4. Implementing the new plan for Mill Mountain focusing on neighborhood connections and improving loops for all trails.
4. The DCR VOP landing page does not appear to have a link to the 2024 update: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/recreational-planning/vop

1. It is unclear who served on the VOP Technical Advisory Committee. Clarity is needed to understand what regional representation was included.

Section 1.1

Priority B: “Prioritize recreation facilities and amenities that improve recreation experiences for all, reach underserved communities and geographic areas, improve safety, and make positive impacts to community health”

• Related to comment #3 in the 'General Comments' section above, chapter 13 of the 2018 VOP identifies regional recommendations for each Recreation Region. There is no mention in the 2024 VOP of these regional recommendations nor a status update on their implementation. Please provide clarification on whether these regional recommendations will be carried over into the 2024 VOP if they have not been completed, and whether new regional recommendations will be identified in order to replace those projects that have been completed. Clarity is also needed on how DCR intends to engage further with the stakeholders, agencies, and citizens in these regions to identify regional recommendations to be included in the 2024 VOP.

Section 1.2

• Section 1.2 discusses the economic impact of State Parks. Roanoke County recognizes the importance of state-run facilities in our region, including Havens Wildlife Management Area and Poor Mountain State Natural Area Preserve. Although the economic impact is discussed, there is no discussion in the draft 2024 VOP regarding whether these state facilities will be expanded or improved in the future, or whether the priorities and recommendations of the 2024 will be incorporated into these existing state-owned facilities.

Section 2.1.2

• Recreation Inventory: Although the Virginia Outdoors Plan Mapper on this page contains much valuable information, there are many new and expanded projects in the Roanoke region that are not identified, and some projects that are inaccurately represented. This includes the following:

• • McAfee Knob Trailhead Shuttle Stops are not shown;
  • Additional Roanoke River Greenway segments are not shown, including Hinchee Trail, Catawba Greenway, Wolf Creek Greenway, East Roanoke River Greenway off Highland Road, and Glade Creek Greenway;
  • Andy Layne Trailhead Parking reconstruction and relocation is not shown;
  • Vinton Downtown Historic District is not shown;
  • Explore Park Expansion: VRFA parcel upstream of Niagara Dam and two parcels acquired by Roanoke County on Chestnut Ridge Road/Rutrough Road are not shown;
  • Many of Roanoke County’s public parks are identified in the ‘Local Parks Inventory’ layer but are not identified in the ‘Public Access Lands’ inventory. It is unclear why some of these public parks are not considered to have access for purposes of being listed under the ‘Public Access Lands’ layer;
  • Many local parks are not shown on the base layer (i.e. Glade Creek Park, Stonebridge, Goode, Vinyard Park West and East, Hollins Park, Walrond Park, Sadler, Whispering Pines, Clearbrook, Starkey, Darrell Shell, etc.);
  • Spring Hollow should not be shown as a feature in the ‘Public Access Lands’ layer; only Camp Roanoke should be shown;
  • Water access points do not include Wayside Park and Green Hill Park locations; Niagara Dam access points need clean-up and clarification on the portage needs to be provided; portage is not shown; and
  • Blueways: existing water trail does not follow the Roanoke River alignment.

In addition there are future projects that are recommended in many of our long-range plans, including the Roanoke Valley Greenway Plan and draft 200 Plan (County Comprehensive Plan). Although it is noted that the VOP Mapper data will be expanded to include all recreation facilities and amenities across the state during 2024 implementation, the lack of up-to-date information in the VOP Mapper does not provide confidence that this resource will be reliable. It would be valuable to understand who will be managing the information available, whether the spatial data will be authoritative, and how often it will be updated if it is intended to be used for future planning.

• Virginia’s Trail Networks – Building Trail Networks Across Virginia: The Mountain Tributary Trails are described as land-based trails that are directly associated with tributaries of Virginia’s major river systems. Although this description seems to encompass all tributary areas, the James River Heritage Corridor is the only tributary trail identified. This unnecessarily disadvantages the localities that are not on this corridor in seeking funding to construct trails. The 2018 VOP identifies four trail systems that are high priorities for Roanoke County: the Roanoke River Greenway Network, Tinker Creek Greenway, Carvins Cove Trails, and Valley-to-Valley Trail. The removal of these trails from the 2024 VOP recommendations makes it look like these trails have been consciously de-prioritized, which they have not. Please add ‘tributary trail’ recommendations for the other statewide trail corridors so that localities that are not on the James River Heritage Trail Corridor may benefit from this plan.

• Safe Multi-Use and Shared Use Trails: Although Section 2.1 emphasizes the importance of connecting residents to their local outdoor natural areas, this section states that the Virginia Outdoor Survey did not ask specific questions about types of trails like bicycle trails along roadways. Although these may be commonly associated with urban and suburban areas, Priority B of Section 1.1 underscores the importance of these urban and suburban connections in improving recreation experiences for all, which includes providing safe multi-modal connections between residents and natural areas. Considering the fact that VDOT owns the majority of the roadways in the Commonwealth, it would be beneficial to include some information about how this state agency intends to incorporate the priorities and recommendations of this plan into their design standards for roadways to help improve multi-modal connections within and adjacent to VDOT right-of-way.

Roanoke County appreciates having the opportunity to provide comment on this draft of the 2024 VOP. We are happy to provide further input for the development of this plan, including input on the identification of Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Recreation Region-specific priorities and recommendations, and data for inclusion in your mapping repository. For any questions regarding the above comments, or to connect in a greater capacity, please reach out to Sarah Gilmore, sgilmore@roanokecountyva.gov.

As a natural resource professional in Virginia, I have enjoyed reading, using and being a part of the Virginia Outdoors Plan for nearly 30 years. I am concerned with the usability of the current draft VOP from the perspective of both format and content.  The use of a dedicated website and Story Maps for the VOP is very interesting and can aid in conveying information to the public, but the format feels cumbersome to navigate as a technical document that is frequently used as a reference to cite in articles, grants and presentations.  I am also concerned about the lack of regional discussions and recommendations.  The regional recommendations highlight the diverse state landscape and help connect us statewide - again, serving as a reference and networking document. Finally, the plan seems to lack mention of water trails and public access to water despite the public survey identifying this as a need.   

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the draft VOP.  As in past years, I would be more than happy to assist in the development of this important document by providing local and regional information.