Virginia Authorizes Oak Hill State Park

LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. — The Conservation Fund celebrated today Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s approval of a state budget that enables former President James Monroe’s Oak Hill estate to become Virginia’s newest state park. The approval concludes a yearslong effort to set the 1,200-acre property in Loudoun County on a solid path to becoming a state park.

Spanberger’s approval, coming days before the nation’s 250th anniversary of independence, furthers ongoing efforts to permanently protect the last presidential Founding Father home in private hands. By transforming Oak Hill into a recreational and historic destination, forever safeguarded by the Commonwealth of Virginia, this national treasure is permanently protected from future development in one of Northern Virginia’s fastest-growing regions.

“The Conservation Fund exists for projects of this magnitude and importance — to pursue the opportunities that others say are impossible,” said Heather Richards, mid-Atlantic vice president at The Conservation Fund. “Together with strong support from Gov. Spanberger, Sen. Russet Perry, Del. John McAuliff and so many others, we have forever preserved an important part of our shared heritage while also creating a new place for people to hike, play and simply breathe.”

Widespread public support helped propel this effort. The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors approved a $27 million grant toward the purchase. Congress also allocated $6 million through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, thanks to the leadership of U.S. Senator Mark Warner, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam and former U.S. Representative Jennifer Wexton. The Virginia Land Conservation Foundation awarded a $2 million grant to support the effort.

Additionally, more than 10,000 people signed petitions, sent letters and made personal donations in support of Oak Hill becoming Virginia’s next state park.

“For all the work The Conservation Fund has done to benefit the public, never have we seen support like this emerge with such force,” Richards said. “The response showed just how deeply Virginians value Oak Hill — and how committed they are to preserving it for future generations.”

Nestled in Loudoun County, just 40 miles from Washington, D.C., Oak Hill includes undisturbed forests, open meadows and a well-preserved mansion. When it opens to the public, Oak Hill will give more than 3 million Virginians within 30 miles the chance to engage with both the natural landscape and the history it preserves.

The process of transforming Oak Hill into a state park now moves into an administrative and planning phase. The immediate next steps include completing archaeological and historic resource assessments of the property. Once those studies are complete, a clearer timeline for opening the park to the public will emerge. The park is expected to welcome its first visitors in 2027.

About The Conservation Fund
The Conservation Fund protects the land that sustains us all. We are in the business of conservation, creating innovative solutions that drive nature-based action in all 50 states for climate protection, vibrant communities and sustainable economies. We apply effective strategies, efficient financing approaches, and enduring government, community and private partnerships to protect millions of acres of America’s natural land, cultural sites, recreation areas and working forests and farms. To learn more, visit www.conservationfund.org.