Carter Park

"Parks and playgrounds are the soul of a city."

Marty Rubin

Virginia Outdoors Foundation (VOF) Grant Application

Town of Boones Mill Awarded $157,300 Virginia Outdoors Foundation Grant for Carter Park

September 24, 2026

 

The Town of Boones Mill has been awarded a $157,300 grant from the Virginia Outdoors Foundation (VOF) through its Preservation Trust Fund (PTF) Program to support the permanent protection and development of Carter Park, a transformative community project in downtown Boones Mill.

 

The grant award will ensure that Carter Park remains permanently protected for public use and enjoyment while advancing the Town's vision for accessible outdoor recreation and community gathering space. Located on two acres between the local Carter Bank and Trust branch and Maggodee Creek, Carter Park is a cornerstone of Boones Mill's multi-year downtown revitalization effort. Carter Bank and Trust donated the property to the Town through a Deed of Gift in September 2024, creating an opportunity to transform a key downtown parcel into a lasting community asset.

 

“This grant is a tremendous investment in the future of Carter Park and the quality of life of our residents,” said B.T. Fitzpatrick III, Town Manager. ”The Virginia Outdoors Foundation's support will help us create a vibrant public space that brings people together, promotes recreation, and preserves valuable open space in the heart of our community.”

 

Plans for Carter Park include:

  • A modern playground for children and families.
  • A pavilion and community gathering areas.
  • Open greenspace for events, festivals, and picnics.
  • Walking trails and outdoor recreation amenities.
  • A green parking area utilizing environmentally sustainable design practices.

 

The park's design emphasizes accessibility, environmental sustainability, and preservation of natural resources. Plans call for retaining mature trees, using pervious parking materials, and incorporating native landscaping to enhance the site's ecological value while creating an inviting space for residents and visitors.

 

The project exemplifies the power of public-private partnerships. Carter Bank and Trust's land donation, combined with grant funding and local support, will allow the Town to develop a self-sustaining community asset that serves generations to come.

 

Established by the Virginia General Assembly in 1966, the Virginia Outdoors Foundation has protected more than 910,000 acres across the Commonwealth and is one of the nation's largest land conservation organizations. The Foundation's support for Carter Park highlights the project's significance for both community recreation and long-term land conservation.

 

The grant agreement is expected within the next 30 days, and the project's two-year grant period will officially begin on November 2, 2026.

 

As Boones Mill approaches its centennial in 2027, Carter Park represents a significant investment in the Town's future, providing a welcoming destination where residents can gather, celebrate, recreate, and enjoy the community's natural beauty for decades to come.

In July 2026, the Town applied for a $154,000 Preservation Trust Fund Grant from the Virginia Outdoors Foundation to construct the park.


The Virginia Outdoors Foundation (VOF) was established by the Virginia legislature in 1966 “to promote the preservation of open-space lands and to encourage private gifts of money, securities, land, or other property to preserve the natural, scenic, historic, scientific, open-space and recreational areas of the Commonwealth.” VOF has protected more than 910,000 acres across Virginia, making it one of the largest land conservation organizations in the nation.


Grant awards are scheduled to be announced in September 2026.

The Town accepted a “Deed of Gift” from Carter Bank and Trust on September 10, 2024, for two (2) acres of land between the bank branch and Maggodee Creek in downtown Boones Mill. Carter Park is part of a multi-year downtown revitalization project.


Carter Park will preserve larger trees in its southeastern corner, create a green parking lot along its northern edge, add a playground for Boones Mill’s younger residents, and include a plaza centered around a large millstone and “LOVE” sign. Park development will be made possible through public-private partnerships and grants, ensuring the park is a self-sustaining asset for the community. The park’s design will emphasize accessibility and environmental sustainability with pervious parking materials and native plant landscaping.


“We are so grateful and fortunate for the generosity that Carter Bank and Trust has given to our town. The citizens of Boones Mill will now have an opportunity to relax and fellowship with family and friends while enjoying the amenities of our community. Our town was established in 1927, and as mayor, I look forward to seeing Boones Mill continue to provide a place that folks are proud to call home,” says Victor E. Conner, Mayor.


“For years, we have sought meaningful ways to utilize these two acres, and we were thrilled when the Town of Boones Mill approached us about the opportunity to transform it into a community space for all of Boones Mill to enjoy. This project hits at the heart of who we are as an organization. For the last 50 years, our mission has been to enhance and uplift the communities we are part of. Partnering with the Town of Boones Mill to bring Carter Park to life stands as a testament to our commitment to creating opportunities for more people to prosper,” says Litz Van Dyke, CEO of Carter Bank.

Items to be included in the park:

  • Playground
  • Parking lot
  • Trail walk
  • Pavilion
  • Open greenspace for events and picnics
  • LOVE sign