Should Vendors & Commercial Activities Invade our West Virginia State Parks?
Image of the Grist Mill at Babcock State Park in Fayette County, WV
>> Alert Notice from the West Virginia Rivers Coalition, July 12, 2023
As we discussed in last month’s Public Lands News, the State has rejected all the private RV park proposals for the Cacapon Resort State Park. Local folks and West Virginians statewide went to meetings, signed petitions, filed lawsuits, and sent emails. The State has now opened a survey where you can tell the Department of Natural Resources what you think should be in your WV State Parks and other state public lands.
One question in the survey will have plenty of space for you to share all your ideas. Please include all your thoughts. Some ideas you might include are:
1. Stay true to the mission of State Parks: “promote conservation by preserving and protecting natural areas of unique or exceptional scenic, scientific, cultural, archaeological or historical significance.”
2. Our State Parks should not be profit centers for private developers for mega resorts or private amenities.
3. Recreation allowed in all state public lands should be nature-based and non-motorized.
Our efforts helped to stop the commercialization of Cacapon Resort State Park. But will your favorite State Park, Forest, or other public land be next? You can shape the future plans for our state lands by completing the survey. Please do this today. Have your voice heard.