Gov. Glenn Youngkin last week announced more than $14 million in state grants to conserve land throughout the Commonwealth.
Just under $3 million of that is coming to Hampton Roads and will fund several projects including expanding public parks and protecting wetlands. The money comes through the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation.
Here’s what’s happening locally with the grant funds.
Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach plans to use two new state grants to buy land that will expand existing parks.
The city was awarded $650,000 to acquire 28 acres as an addition to Munden Point Park along the North Landing River.
Daily public access will be provided for recreation on land and water, as well as education and research opportunities, according to a state news release.
Another $100,000 will go toward buying 0.57 acres to add to Pleasure House Point.
It’s part of a network of conserved areas along Lynnhaven Bay, Pleasure House Creek and Crab Creek. Virginia Beach currently manages 108 acres of the property.
Suffolk
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation received $1.3 million to acquire 1,900 acres of continuous forest in Suffolk, including the state’s last natural stand of longleaf pine trees.
The area will join South Quay Sandhills Natural Area preserve, part of the state’s nature preserve system.
It’s located in the southwest corner of Suffolk, bordering the Blackwater River and North Carolina state line.
The infusion of state funding allows the department to leverage a separate $5.6 million federal grant the project received earlier this year.
Chesapeake
The city is getting $800,000 to take over 96 acres along Deep Creek, a branch of the Elizabeth River.
The goal is to protect wetlands, which cover a majority of the property, and boost public waterfront and recreation access.
Parts of the privately-owned property – located just east of Bryan’s Cove – are currently zoned for future use as mixed-use residential development or industry, according to the city.
Wetlands “would be significantly impacted if developed,” city officials wrote in a planning memo, which is why they now plan to conserve the land instead.
