Albemarle working toward fall opening for first phase of Biscuit Run Park

Over fourteen years have passed since the Commonwealth of Virginia purchased about 1,200 acres from a private developer for the purposes of building a state park. When it appeared that state funding to actually build the park would be many years away, Albemarle County Supervisors agreed to develop the park themselves.

Albemarle Supervisors have spent this month reviewing the $629 million budget for fiscal year 2025 and this week got a status update on county funding toward moving the project forward. 

“Biscuit Run is budgeted at about $9.2 million over FY25 and FY26 over the next two years and it’s going to include several elements first of which is that Route 20 entrance and trailhead to open the park and get us into the park,” said Ryan Davidson, deputy chief of budget in Albemarle. “And then we have the trail networks which includes three elevated boardwalks in the marshier areas. We have the athletic fields, the two athletic fields.”

Davidson said that amount also includes improvements on Hickory Street to support a trailhead from that direction.  

Work on what’s known as Phase 1A of Biscuit Run has been delayed due to a variety of factors including COVID, according to the winter 2024 Facilities and Environmental Services report. 

This afternoon, Albemarle County sent out a press release announcing they are planning for an opening this fall. The firm Haley, Chisholm & Morris has been hired to build the entrance road, a parking lot with 75 spaces at the trailhead, and rest rooms. 

“The contractor has begun work by marking out the site and transporting trucks and equipment to the area for the start of construction,” reads the release. “Following the tree removal, erosion and sediment control measures will be installed next week in preparation for earthwork. Site grubbing, involving the removal of trees, brush, and stumps, has begun and will continue in phases as work progresses over the upcoming months.”

Davidson said a theme in the FY25 budget is to move Parks and Recreation capital projects forward. Another $2.1 million project will see the grass fields at Darden-Towe Park rebuilt to better support athletic activities. 

“One of each field will be taken out of use during the rehab process to minimize the disruption to recreational activities,” Davidson said.

The City of Charlottesville is expected to contribute a portion of the funds for this project based on a formula that governs their joint ownership of Darden-Towe. A request for proposals was issued on March 18 and bids are due on April 10. 

The draft capital budget also includes $150,000 in FY25 for design of an urban pocket park and $1.5 million in construction for FY26. The location has not yet been identified but Parks and Recreation Director Bob Crickenberger said his department is going through a list of surplus county properties and other sites. 

“We hope to complete that process soon within several months,” Crickenberger said. 

Coverage of the Albemarle County budget will continue in future editions of the newsletter. 

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