The Congresswoman Voted for Legislation that was Signed Into Law to Fully & Permanently Fund the Grant Program that Made this Award Possible

HENRICO, V.A. — U.S. Representative Spanberger today announced that — after her office wrote a letter of support — Gordonsville, Virginia has received a federal award of $1,605,750 to improve Verling Park, build a new public pool, and expand the local park system.

This grant funding is made possible through the National Park Service’s Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which was established by Congress to fulfill a bipartisan commitment to safeguard our natural areas, water resources, and cultural heritage — and to provide recreation opportunities to all Americans.

“On behalf of the Town of Gordonsville, I would like to offer our sincere thanks to Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger for her crucial assistance in securing a Land & Water Conservation Fund grant, awarded by the National Park Service for $1,605,750, which will serve to renovate and expand the town’s park system and build a new public pool,” said Robert K. Coiner, Mayor of Gordonsville. “Representative Spanberger’s strong letter of support for our grant proposal, after several trips to Gordonsville to review the park and our proposed plans, demonstrates clearly her strong commitment to her constituents and her tireless work ethic. We will be forever grateful to Abigail for her efforts!”

“Investing in our public parks not only keeps these resources safe and accessible for future generations, but supports the outdoor recreation economy,” said Spanberger. “Virginians living, playing, and raising a family in Gordonsville and Orange County will benefit directly from the upgrades this award will soon make possible. I have been proud to work alongside this community to secure this federal grant every step of the way, and I am excited to see these funds headed home to the Seventh District.”

In 2020, Spanberger — Chair of the House Agriculture Committee’s Conservation and Forestry Subcommittee — voted with an overwhelmingly bipartisan majority of the U.S. House to pass legislation that would grant full, permanent funding for the LWCF. This legislation was signed into law.

BACKGROUND

According to the National Park Service, the Land and Water Conservation Fund State & Local Assistance Program provides matching grants for local and state park projects outside national park boundaries. LWCF grants are locally determined and competed at the state level through a process designed and managed by state partners. The grants help build and protect a “seamless system of parks” from back-yard to back-country. The LWCF program can be divided into the “State Side” which provides grants to State and local governments, and the “Federal Side” which is used to acquire lands, waters, and interests therein necessary to achieve the natural, cultural, wildlife, and recreation management objectives of federal land management agencies.

Since the LWCF began in 1965, Virginia has received more than $80 million in assistance, and more than 400 conservation and public lands projects have been made possible in the Commonwealth through the program.

Click here for more information about the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

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