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Media inquiries: Please contact Dave Neudeck, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5053.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: October 15, 2026
Contact: Cheyenne Wine, Marketing Coordinator, 804-845-4685, cheyenne.wine@dcr.virginia.gov

Hayfields State Park hosts Master Plan Public Information Meeting

(Editors: Follow this link to download an image. Photo caption: 1800s farmhouse at Hayfields State Park)

(Editors: Follow this link to download an image. Photo caption: Hayfields State Park sign)

(Editors: Follow this link to download an image. Photo caption: Aerial view of Hayfields State Park)

MCDOWELL, Va. – The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and Virginia State Parks are hosting a public information meeting to discuss the master plan for Hayfields State Park. The meeting will be held on Monday, Nov. 9, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the Highland Center, located at 61 Highland Center Dr, Monterey, VA 24465.

This plan will help guide the park’s management and development and identify its natural, cultural and physical resources. Master plans are created for all parks and updated every 10 years.

During the meeting, attendees will learn more about the master plan process and have the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback. Please note that future park plans will not be discussed at this time, as this meeting is intended solely to provide information about the master plan process.

Hayfields, Virginia’s 44th state park, is located between Bullpasture and Jack mountains at an elevation ranging from 1,800 to 2,400 feet in Highland County. The Bullpasture River flows through the park for about a mile and is home to numerous threatened and endangered species.

The 1,034-acre property was acquired by the Virginia Outdoors Foundation in 2017 with assistance from The Conservation Fund. Land acquisition began in 2023, with 994 acres transferred to Virginia State Parks and another 40 acres transferred in August 2025. After a recent property acquisition, the park's total acreage has expanded to 1,054 acres.

For more information about the master plan process or the upcoming meeting, go to www.dcr.virginia.gov/recreational-planning/ha-masterplan.

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About Virginia State Parks

Virginia State Parks are managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. For more information about Virginia State Parks’ activities and amenities or to reserve one of the more than 1,800 campsites or 300 climate-controlled cabins, call the Virginia State Parks Reservation Center at 800-933-PARK or visit www.virginiastateparks.gov.

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