Natural Bridge State Park Awarded Green Grant

Natural Bridge State Park in Rockbridge is awarded a $1,000 Green Grant in the Recycling and Waste Reduction category as part of Keep Virginia Beautiful’s 15th Annual Green Grants program.    

Every year, government, non-profit, civic, and service organizations in Virginia are invited to apply for grants ranging from $500 to $1,000 that will help address environmental concerns in their community.  Grants must focus on one of the following priorities:   Litter Prevention, Recycling & Waste Reduction, Cigarette Litter Prevention & Recycling, or Community Beautification. 

Natural Bridge State Park protects and preserves the natural, cultural, and historical features of the 1600-acre park. The park offers 10 miles of hiking trails, Lace Falls with its 50-foot cascade, and group camping.  Blue Hollow is a primitive tent group campground that is popular with Scout groups and large families who come from across the states.  Currently there is no running water at the campground. 

The Friends of Natural Bridge State Park are eager to install rain barrel collection systems in the Blue Hollow Group Campground by reusing wood from old picnic tables for the base and recycled barrels from the wastewater treatment plant.  This will enable guests to wash their hands, rinse dishes, and clean off picnic tables.

Park staff will be able to clean the tent pads without having to supply water from a portable reservoir. Each barrel will be labeled as “Non-Potable Water.” Beside each barrel, a sign will be installed explaining the importance of rain collection and the reuse of natural resources. 

Natural Bridge State Park will measure the rain collection in gallons and will speak to guest about their experience with the collection system and its use. The park is a leader in sustainability efforts amongst the Virginia State Parks. Natural Bridge will share their data and success of the rain water reuse and encourage others to do barrel installs at their parks.