Brush Mountain Park Update
A mountain biker enjoys the trails a Stone-cutters Hollow. Photo: Michael Carnrike
The New River Land Trust has successfully transferred 239 acres, the Stone-cutters Hollow property, to the Town of Blacksburg, marking another major milestone for Brush Mountain Park.
This is the second of three properties that make up the park to be transferred to the Town, ensuring long-term stewardship and management. McDonald Hollow’s 190 acres were transferred to the Town and placed under easement in 2021.
Permanent Protection + Public Access
From the beginning, this project has combined two core conservation goals: permanent legal protection of the land and meaningful public access so people can experience the peace, beauty, and inspiration of conserved natural spaces.
Simultaneously with the ownership transfer, the Virginia Outdoors Foundation placed a permanent Open Space Easement on the property. This ensures the land will remain protected forever.
The Virginia Outdoors Foundation was also the primary funder of the Brush Mountain Park land acquisition for McDonald Hollow and Stone-cutters Hollow, awarding a $1.2 million grant in 2018 through its Forest CORE Fund. VOF is Virginia’s largest conservation entity by number of projects and acres protected.
A Community Effort
With both Town ownership and a permanent conservation easement now in place, Stone-cutters Hollow joins McDonald Hollow in being permanently protected for its conservation values as well as being a wonderful recreation area for the community.
This project was made possible thanks to generous community donations of time and resources, the hard work of Poverty Creek Trails Coalition volunteers and trail contractor Eastern Trail Co., The Town of Blacksburg and the many stakeholders who contributed to the project’s success!
Looking Ahead
The New River Land Trust will continue to play an active role in the future of Brush Mountain Park by:
Pursuing opportunities to add additional acreage
Expanding and enhancing the trail network
Supporting ongoing trail maintenance
In addition, the third property in Brush Mountain Park, Millstone Ridge, will be transferred to the Town of Blacksburg in the future and placed under conservation easement to complete the park and trail system which will conserve over 750 acres of parkland.