Virginia buys 1,200-acre tract in Albemarle County to develop into state park

Va. buys 1,200 acres in Albemarle for park

RICHMOND, Va. — Gov. Tim Kaine says Virginia has bought about 1,200 acres in Albemarle County to be developed as a state park.

The property is south of Interstate 64. It surrounds a stream named Biscuit Run and is next to polo fields owned by the University of Virginia. A planned residential development for the property stalled in 2007 because of the economic downturn.

Joseph Maroon, director of the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, said the need for a state park in the region has been identified for more than 20 years.

The state paid $9.8 million for the property, using $5 million left over from a 2002 bond issue for parks and $4.8 million in federal funds.