McAuliffe joined three other state agencies, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, and the Virginia Department of Transportation, on Thursday at Gloucester Point Beach Park to sign a memorandum of understanding.
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| Gov. Terry McAuliffe greets ACA Stewardship Coordinator Zane Havens after he arrived at Gloucester Point Beach park on Thursday to sign a memorandum of understanding in support of recreational water access. (Frances Hubbard/Daily Press) |
The document asks the three agencies to work together to identify new potential public access projects, particularly at bridge crossings and roads across the state.
"Where ever we have VDOT next to one of our state parks and [there is] a bridge or an opportunity for us to build at that waterway and allow people to access the water I want that done," McAuliffe said.
McAuliffe said he hopes to see many of the new locations identified before his term as governor is up in two years. He said the concept should increase money spent in the state through tourism and create jobs.
"We want to give our Virginia residents the ability to get on the water and enjoy the water and encourage them to take advantage of our state park system," McAuliffe said.
Carol Steele, Gloucester's director of parks and recreation, said Thursday that Gloucester Point Beach Park was a good example of how the agencies had worked together in the past to increase water access by building the boat landing there on the York River. That's why the location was chosen to sign the memorandum.
"We need more access for recreational boating," Steele said. "It is tremendous that everyone is trying to work together to utilize existing resources and look at additional resources to meet that need. We our proud of our facility. It is extremely popular."
The agreement between the agencies could also bode well for state parks. McAuliffe has set a goal of visiting all 36 of Virginia's state parks during his tenure.
He said in addition to hiking and camping, park visitors want to get on the water.
After the signing Thursday he said he planned to stop by the site of a potential state park that has been in development in Gloucester County for several years.
"The Middle Peninsula does not have a state park and I don't think that is right," he said.
Funding for a state park on the York River and Aberdeen Creek that's been nearly nine years in the making has been a hurdle. The park is expected to include trails, campsites and cabins, and water access.
A 2010 park master plan, renewed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, estimated the total cost of the park to be around $28.2 million.
McAuliffe said Thursday he is hopeful they can get the park moving forward.
"Where ever we have VDOT next to one of our state parks and [there is] a bridge or an opportunity for us to build at that waterway and allow people to access the water I want that done," McAuliffe said.
McAuliffe said he hopes to see many of the new locations identified before his term as governor is up in two years. He said the concept should increase money spent in the state through tourism and create jobs.
"We want to give our Virginia residents the ability to get on the water and enjoy the water and encourage them to take advantage of our state park system," McAuliffe said.
Carol Steele, Gloucester's director of parks and recreation, said Thursday that Gloucester Point Beach Park was a good example of how the agencies had worked together in the past to increase water access by building the boat landing there on the York River. That's why the location was chosen to sign the memorandum.
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| Gov. Terry McAuliffe signs the memorandum of understanding in support of recreational water access. Next to him is DCR Director Clyde Cristman and VDOT Commissioner Charles Kilpatrick, who also signed the memorandum along with Gaming Commissioner Larry Hart (not pictured). (Frances Hubbard/Daily Press) |
The agreement between the agencies could also bode well for state parks. McAuliffe has set a goal of visiting all 36 of Virginia's state parks during his tenure.
He said in addition to hiking and camping, park visitors want to get on the water.
After the signing Thursday he said he planned to stop by the site of a potential state park that has been in development in Gloucester County for several years.
"The Middle Peninsula does not have a state park and I don't think that is right," he said.
Funding for a state park on the York River and Aberdeen Creek that's been nearly nine years in the making has been a hurdle. The park is expected to include trails, campsites and cabins, and water access.
A 2010 park master plan, renewed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, estimated the total cost of the park to be around $28.2 million.
McAuliffe said Thursday he is hopeful they can get the park moving forward.
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