HD35 - A Feasibility Study for the Establishment of a Park System in Lee County, Virginia

  • Published: 1992
  • Author: Department of Conservation and Recreation
  • Enabling Authority: House Joint Resolution 390 (Regular Session, 1991)

Executive Summary:
House Joint Resolution 390 (HJR 390) requested that the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), in coordination with the U. S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS), study the feasibility of creating a park in Lee County adjoining Cumberland National Park and Hensley Settlement. (Appendix A)

The Department of Conservation and Recreation has found considerable potential in the development of a park system in Lee County.

Lee County has an abundance of underdeveloped tourist attraction possibilities, and travel generates more jobs in America than any other industry but health services. Americans last year spent 5.2 billion nights away from home, which led to 5.8 million jobs in the travel industry! The driving force of tourism is attractions, and Lee County has the latent historical and scenic assets and the available labor pool. A park system as described in this report fits the requirements of a quality recreational resource that would be based on the beauty and historical significance of an area of Virginia where the citizens are proud of that heritage and eager to share it with visitors.

This park system (Illustration 1, Page 2) can be established by linking new and currently underutilized resources with established federal and local public areas. This resulting linkage would form a park system, anchored by a Virginia Visitor Information Center, which would be connected to Cumberland Gap National Historical Park (CGNHP) by a linear hiking/biking/equestrian trail. This trail would follow the path of what is historically referred to as the Wilderness Road, which roughly coincides with the Route 58 corridor and/or abandoned Louisville and Nashville Railroad right-of-way (R-O-W). (Illustration 2, page 3)

The opportunity exists at this time, in particular, because of many positive conditions that include:

• The natural beauty of Lee County

• The historical importance of Lee County, the Wilderness Road, and the Cumberland Gap (the eastern half of the Gap is in Virginia; the western half is in Kentucky). Here the first frontiersmen of European descent found their way through the Appalachian Mountains; their most famous representative is Daniel Boone. Following in the frontiersmen's footsteps along the Wilderness Road were the families who settled on the western side of the Appalachians. By 1800 over 300,000 people had crossed the Gap going west. During the Civil War, the Gap was an important strategic prize, and it changed hands several times.

• The possible availability of a sizable portion of the abandoned Louisville and Nashville Railroad right-of-way (R-O-W) not needed to four-lane Route 58. The property is owned by the Virginia Department of Transportation and may be declared surplus to its purposes. The R-O-W basically follows the path of the Wilderness Road.

• Multi-million dollar improvements underway at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park (CGNHP) which will focus increased visitor interest on the area and on CGNHP as a destination point for travelers. One park source feels that visitation will double when improvements are completed. Restoration of Cumberland Gap to its 1780-1810 appearance is projected to be completed by 1995-6.

• The potential for an increase of motorists in Lee County and all of Southwest Virginia because of the improvements to Route 58 that have been initiated. This increase in visitors supports the need for a Virginia Visitor Information Center in the Route 58 corridor.

• The availability, through purchase, of the Karlan house and property, which consists of an imposing antebellum mansion, several lesser outbuildings, and 180 acres of land. This land fronts on Route 58, is traversed by the L&N R-O-W, and is suitable for the location of quality tourist attractions such as a Virginia Visitor Information Center, Daniel Boone Museum, Pioneer Station, and walking trail. (Illustration 3, page 5 and Illustration 4, page 6) In a staff report prepared by the Virginia Division of Tourism for VDOT, the Karlan house is termed "ideally situated for development of a Virginia Visitor Center."

• Opportunity for needed economic development and new jobs with minimal impact on existing infrastructure. Lee County's beauty and history are very important economic assets, already in place and only needing to be carefully, selectively developed.

• Local support, as evidenced by the interest of citizens at an October 2, 1991, public meeting held to discuss HJR 390. Of the approximately 100 citizens present, all of the comments were positive.

The park system would be based on three tracts of property -- two of these components are already in public ownership -- Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and the abandoned Louisville and Nashville Railroad right-of-way (R-O-W). Part of the R-O-W can be developed into a linear hiking/biking/equestrian trail. A third element would need to be purchased: a site for a park in Lee County that fronts on Route 58 and is contiguous to the L&N R-O-W.

Securing public ownership of Virginia trailhead(s) providing access to Hensley Settlement and the Ridge Trail of CGNHP by means of easements or outright purchase is also a necessary component of the envisioned park system.

Additional components would include development of a scenic automobile driving tour route/signage/brochure, establishment of equestrian facilities, and placement of outdoor interpretive displays.

Recommendations

It is recommended that Phase I be implemented by a government agency, such as a regional authority, Lee County, or possibly a state agency, and that it be initiated as soon as practical.

Phase I -- 1992 -·1994

1. Acquisition of an approximately 200 acre park site in Lee County. Estimated cost range $750,000 to $1,125,000 (appraisal by certified appraiser available in January 1992).

2. Development of approximately ten miles of the L&N Railroad Right-of-Way into a hiking/biking/equestrian trail. Estimated cost - $150.000.

3. Acquisition of two Virginia trailheads serving Hensley Settlement and the Ridge Trail in Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. Estimated cost - $50,000.

4. Securing of operation/maintenance funds and establishment of a caretaker position. Estimated cost - $150,000 per year.

5. Establishment of a local Advisory Board. Estimated cost - technical advice from DCR.

6. Preparation of park site master plan and renovation/construction plan for Virginia Visitor Information Center. Estimated cost - $100,000 (consultant contract).

7. Preparation of park staffing and operation/maintenance plan, including related annual costs. Estimated cost - technical advice from DCR.

8. Identification of driving tour. Estimated cost-. technical advice from DCR/VDOT.

9. Initiation and completion of an in-depth study of Virginia history related to the Wilderness Road and Cumberland Gap by volunteers and/or professionals. Estimated cost - none.

Phase II* -- 1994-1996

1. Partial development of park site.

2. Prepare plan for Daniel Boone Museum.

3. Acquisition of properties connecting park site with trailheads.

4. Funding for park staff and operation/maintenance plan.

Phase III*

Final implementation/completion of park system plan.
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* Cost estimates to be determined