The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation has adopted the master plan for the future Mayo River State Park.
The plan was adopted July 27 and outlines the development of the 637-acre park along the North and South Mayo River in Henry County. The park is directly adjacent to North Carolina’s Mayo River State Park and is expected to be developed over approximately 30 years.
DCR Director Nikki Rovner said in a press release that the master plan reflects the agency’s commitment to conservation, recreation planning and community engagement.
“This park will provide exceptional opportunities to experience the Mayo River corridor while protecting one of Virginia’s most scenic and culturally rich landscapes,” Rovner stated in the release.
According to the DCR, major features planned for the park include a visitor center, day-use facilities, overnight accommodations, expanded trails and river access.
The plan calls for a visitor center with educational exhibits and programming space, along with picnic areas, a playground, a stargazing area and multiple trailheads.
Overnight accommodations are planned to include cabins, tent camping and group camping sites, along with a bathhouse.
The master plan also calls for an expanded network of hiking and mountain biking trails and connections to North Carolina’s Mayo River State Park.
Canoe and kayak put-ins and an Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible fishing pier are planned for the North Fork Mayo River. A pedestrian bridge across the North Fork is planned for a later phase of development.
“The plan emphasizes conservation of rare ecosystems, forests, and river corridors, along with the protection of historically significant sites such as Byrd’s Ledge. These resources will be incorporated into dedicated interpretive trails and signage,” the release states.
The plan also calls for the protection of rare ecosystems, forests, river corridors and historically significant sites such as Byrd’s Ledge. Interpretive trails and signage will be used to highlight those resources.
Park development will occur in phases as funding becomes available, beginning with core infrastructure and day-use facilities. Later phases will include overnight lodging, expanded trail connections and additional river access.
Henry County Administrator Dale Wagoner said the state purchased the property nearly 20 years ago with plans to develop a state park.
“We have been working with the DCR and along with many other community partners to move this forward. We’re looking forward to the General Assembly stepping up and funding the program so we can move forward with the Mayo River State Park,” he said.
Wagoner said the project received strong community support during public meetings.
“The Spencer Penn Centre was packed the night we had a public meeting, and it was overwhelmingly supported. It will be a great amenity in our community and the Commonwealth that will provide recreational opportunities for our residents of the Commonwealth and other states as well,” he said.
Board of Supervisors Chairman Jim Adams, of the Blackberry District, said adoption of the master plan is an important step for the project.
“We now have a plan for what this park can become. The next step is getting the funding in place to make that vision a reality,” he said.
For more information about the future Mayo River State Park, visit the DCR website.
The master plan also is available through the DCR website.
Captions:
The 637-acre Mayo River State Park will be developed over an estimated 30 years.
The master plan can be viewed by going to www.dcr.virginia.gov/recreational-planning/mr-masterplan.
