CHAMPIONING VIRGINIA STATE PARKS FOR NEARLY 30 YEARS
VAFP champions Virginia State Parks and all parks in the Commonwealth! We actively advocate park issues at the local, regional, state, and national levels and seek funds to be directly invested in parks. We passionately pursue sustainable solutions, such as dedicated funding streams for our parks.
2007
Virginia has historically ranked near the bottom of state per capita spending on the state park system, as compared to other states. Despite being severely underfunded and understaffed, the total economic impact of Virginia State Parks during 2022 was an estimated $364.2 million. Economic impact is a measure of “fresh money” infused into the state’s economy that likely would not have been generated in the absence of the park system. For every $1 of general tax revenue provided to state parks, $15.21, on average, was generated in fresh money that likely would not be there if not for the operation of Virginia State Parks.
At their 10th anniversary in 2007, VAFP was awarded the National Association for State Parks' President Award to honor their commitment to supporting Virginia State Parks.
1997
Recognizing the potential for strengthening volunteer park support organizations in Virginia, the Virginia Association for Parks (VAFP) was launched at a statewide park volunteer training conference held in November 1997.
2020
The VAFP is grateful for Senator Warner and the bipartisan coalition in Congress that worked on the Great American Outdoors Act. The Act allows the National Park Service to address maintenance projects and improve visitor experiences at parks across Virginia.
2022
today
VAFP is now the nonprofit umbrella organization for park citizen support groups, better known as Friends Groups and individual volunteers who support Virginia's 43 state parks and 66 natural areas, as well as the 22 National Park Service units across the Commonwealth.
Virginia citizens, recognizing the unmet needs of state parks, contribute 210,000 volunteer hours of support to them each year. This equates to a value of $6.3 million. Appreciating the significant contributions of volunteers, VAFP works to bolster park volunteer groups and enhance their efforts.