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Virginia Capitol C onnections, Summer 2016 27
During the Great Depression, the
nation’s unemployment rate reached a
record high. Families were struggling. In
the midst of this economic hopelessness,
President Franklin D. Roosevelt created a
program to conserve our natural resources
and put young men to work.
The Civilian Conservation Corps, which
arose from the Emergency Conservation
Work Act, employed more than 3 million
men in parks, forests and range lands
from 1933 to 1942. During those nine years, our nation’s landscape
changed; billions of trees were planted, millions of acres of land were
improved, telephone lines were hung and many roads were built.
As a result of the hard work of the CCC, Virginia was the first
state to open an entire park system in one day. On June 16, 1936, six
state parks were opened: Douthat, Westmoreland, Hungry Mother,
Fairy Stone, Staunton River and Seashore, now First Landing. Later,
the CCC also developed Pocahontas, Holliday Lake, Bear Creek Lake
and Twin Lakes state parks.
In 1936 visitors could choose from around 65 cabins and 100
campsites. General admission was 10 cents, and cabin rates started at
$15 per week. Today there are 36 parks, parking fees for admission
range from $3 to $7, and cabin rates start at $62 per night. What a
difference 80 years makes.
This year Virginia State Parks celebrate their 80th anniversary
with tree plantings, a time capsule burial, a partnership with the
National Park Service’s centennial through the Find Your Park
campaign, and the 80 Things to Do contest in which guests receive
prizes for visiting state parks and completing 10 or more activities.
Among the 80 activities are a stay at an original CCC cabin at
Douthat State Park and participating in a nationally recognized star
party at Staunton River State Park. Special anniversary activities,
such geocaching, hiking in the rain, and snapping a photo with the
Virginia State Parks’ mascot, Parker Redfox, then sharing it on social
media using #vastateparks, are being held at all parks.
State park staff is also sharing recipes in an 80th anniversary
cookbook as a token of appreciation for supporting parks and
increasing visitation each year. The recipes are easy to prepare in a
cabin or over a campfire. The cookbook will be available online on
June 15 at
The men of the Civilian Conservation Corps built the original
parks 80 years ago, and today friends and volunteers continue to build
the park system. To date, more than 1,300 volunteers donated 227,467
hours of work, a value of $5.9 million, which helps parks generate
a significant impact to our economy. In 2015, the economic impact
totaled $222.8 million; $171 million in “new money” is brought to
the state each year through state parks.
Many volunteer programs offered at parks connect young people
to the environment. A typical day for a Youth Conservation Corps
volunteer would be to wake up at 7 a.m. for physical training followed
by a healthy breakfast. YCC members then start a morning project,
such as working on a trail or building bluebird boxes. After lunch
they work on projects such as restoring wetlands or fixing osprey
ramps and platforms.
The evening may consist of team-building games, swimming and
of course dinner. They may end the day with an evening hike and
writing a journal entry that recaps the day.
The Youth Conservation Corps, AmeriCorps Interpretive Trail
Program, and the Virginia Service and Conservation Corps promote
a strong sense of stewardship for the commonwealth’s natural and
cultural resources while changing the lives of many.
Looking back on the decision made by a president during one of
the most difficult economic times in American history, FDR’s choice
to put thousands of men to work to conserve and protect our nation’s
lands was a wise one. It led to a park system that continues to grow
and sets the foundation for future workers and volunteers.
Shannon Johnson is the Public Communications and Marketing
Director of the Virginia Department of Conservation and
Recreation.
Virginia State Parks Look Back
By Shannon Johnson
V