自然保护与休闲部保护·守护·共享
自然保护与休闲部
媒体咨询：请联系 Dave Neudeck， dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov ，804 - 786 - 5053 。
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日期：10 月28 ， 2025
联系人：Kim Wells，公共关系和营销专家， 804 - 217 - 1077 ，kim.wells@dcr.virginia.gov
Caledon State Park acquires Lake Caledon property
(Editors: Follow this link to download an image. Photo caption: Caledon State Park map with new property shown)
KING GEORGE, Va. – The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation is excited to announce the land acquisition last month of the Lake Caledon property, which is adjacent to Caledon State Park .
Support to add to the existing Caledon State Park was initiated by local residents. Partnerships including Friends of Caledon State Park, King George County and dedicated volunteers opened The Community Foundation’s “Lake Caledon Fund,” which also raised more funds and awareness to this project.
"This acquisition reflects the strong interest and commitment of the local community in expanding and protecting Caledon State Park," said Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources Stefanie Taillon. "Virginia’s state parks deliver multiple benefits, and conserving this additional property will provide additional outdoor opportunities, while continuing to serve as an economic driver for King George County."
“Partnerships are key when it comes to projects like this,” said DCR Director Matt Wells. “As the park’s master plan gets updated, we look forward to expanding recreational opportunities at Caledon State Park.”
Conservation efforts have always been important, especially in this area. In 1984, when bald eagles were listed as endangered, Caledon became a natural area for 18 years, offering only limited recreational opportunities to protect the sensitive habitat. In 2007, the bald eagle was removed from the endangered species list, symbolizing the species’ remarkable recovery thanks to conservation efforts. A few years later, Caledon was named a state park again.
“Caledon has been a state park since 2012 and now with this new expansion that increases the park acreage by 20%, many of the recreational opportunities enjoyed at other parks will be possible here as well with future development funding,” said Virginia State Parks Director Dr. Melissa Baker.
The new property adds 455 acres bringing the total to 3,034 acres of land. This location is an ideal spot for an expanded and enhanced park since Caledon State Park lies on the shores of the Potomac River.
The northern half of the property lies directly across the road from the existing state park and is a mix of forests and farm fields.
The southern half of the property lies on the opposite side of the Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail, a 16-mile multi-use trail that follows the route of the 1940s Dahlgren Branch Rail Line. There are several crossings of the rail-trail to connect to the northern half of the property. This side of the property is mainly forested and contains an approximately 47-acre lake and wetlands.
“Protecting Lake Caledon and expanding Caledon State Park is a remarkable achievement made possible through a community-driven effort that attracted a broad collaboration of conservation partners,” said Lynda Frost, Senior Project Manager at Trust for Public Land. “This project ensures that the lake and surrounding lands remain a thriving natural haven, open for King George County residents and park visitors to explore and enjoy for generations to come.”
The project was funded in part by a $3 million Land and Water Conservation Fund grant awarded by the National Park Service. Another $500,000 was provided from the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation in the first grant ever awarded to Virginia State Parks.
An additional $900,000 in funding was granted from the U.S. Navy’s Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration program. In order for this project to be eligible for REPI funding, the protection boundary around Naval Support Facility Dahlgren had to be expanded.
“Thank you to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Trust for Public Land for the expansion of Caledon State Park,” said Capt. John Nadder, commanding officer of Naval Support Activity South Potomac. “The support of our neighbors and community partners is absolutely critical to Naval Support Activity South Potomac accomplishing its missions. This expansion enhances the recreational opportunities for our service members, while also protecting the rural land uses and natural resources that ensure those critical base operations continue. This represents a win for the community, a win for the base, and a win for Virginia.”
“As a longtime supporter of Virginia State Parks and conservation efforts in Virginia, I'm thrilled about the new expansion of Caledon State Park on the historic Northern Neck,” said Sen. Richard Stuart, who also serves on the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation Board of Trustees. “Thank you to all the individuals, organizations and government agencies who worked together to make this long-held dream a reality.”
"Conservation is key to connecting the public to the stories of these lands, and I am excited that after much work protecting our natural resources along Caledon State Park it will come to fruition," said Delegate Hillary Pugh Kent. "I am grateful to all the constituents who played a pivotal role in making this expansion possible and supporting our state parks."
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About the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
自然保护和娱乐部 (DCR) 是该州领先的自然资源保护机构。DCR 保护弗吉尼亚人关心的事物——自然栖息地、公园、清洁水、水坝、开放空间和户外通道。
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