Westpark Improvements
Overview
- This project will design and construct a passive park consisting of walking and biking trails on the county-owned land located around the Leesburg Country Club Subdivision and along Country Club Drive.
- In August 2022, Loudoun County purchased 134 acres of property formerly known as the Westpark Golf Course in Leesburg for this project for $3.8 million from a private owner who bought the land several years ago following the closure of the golf course.
- Note that the county did not purchase an 8.2-acre parcel on which the former Westpark Hotel is located. This parcel remains privately owned and any future development is subject to the Town of Leesburg’s regulations.
- The Westpark property has been placed into a conservation easement, which will preserve the natural landscape. The placement of property into a conservation easement imposes certain restrictions on the use of the land in the future, which includes how it is developed and maintained. Details are provided under Additional Information below.
- The passive park will be designed following input from members of the community and will be based on the requirements for property within a conservation easement. A typical passive park may consist of walking and biking trails and include many natural and minimally disturbed areas. Informed by public input, the Board of Supervisors will approve the final design before construction begins.
- Funding for the project in the amount of $13.4 million is included in the county's Capital Improvement Program (Fiscal Year 2023 - Fiscal Year 2028) with completion of the passive park expected in Spring 2028.
Design Public Meeting - June 27, 2023
Loudoun County will host a design public information meeting to engage the community for input on the design of the future passive park. The event will take place on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., PRCS Administration Office, 742 Miller Drive SE, Leesburg, Va. More details coming soon.
Westpark Maintenance
- Loudoun County has begun various property maintenance activities planned for 2023 at the Westpark property in Leesburg. Area residents may have noticed some activity on the property and will soon begin seeing regular maintenance in keeping with conservation easement requirements. Details are provided under Additional Information below.
- Natural Area signage will be placed 150 feet from waterways. Mowing is prohibited in this area to meet conservation easement requirements. Signage placed on property.
Current Phase: Award Contract - Engineering
- Learn about project phases and milestones.
- Visit the Capital Projects Active and Planned in Loudoun County interactive map to view projects in your area, including this one.
Estimated Timeline
- Winter 2023 - Fall 2025: Project Design
- Winter 2026 - Spring 2026: Procurement of Construction Contractor
- Summer 2026: Award Contract – Construction
- Summer 2026: Notice to Proceed – Construction
- Summer 2026 - Spring 2028: Construction
- Spring 2028: Substantial Completion
Stay Informed About This Project
The blog provides project updates to subscribers, including phase and milestone information.
- View all updates on the Westpark Property project
- Sign up for updates on this project in Notify Me, Blogs Category
Additional Information
Select the tab below to view more information about Westpark property conservation easement and maintenance.
- The placement of property into a conservation easement imposes certain restrictions on the use of the land in the future. As a result, the former Westpark Golf Course land cannot be developed.
- The easement restricts certain aspects of how the county maintains the property, such as limiting the number of times mowing may occur along Dry Mill Branch and Tuscarora Creek to three times a year. The easement also restricts the removal of trees and vegetation, allowing their removal only for reasons related to invasive species, dead or dying trees, or trees that pose a human health or safety hazard.
- The Westpark property is expected to be valuable asset in Loudoun County’s ongoing environmental preservation efforts. The property can help the county meet environmental requirements from the Commonwealth of Virginia; thereby helping to mitigate the impact of other development throughout the county. Improvements on the property, such as wetland and stream restoration projects and enhanced stormwater management infrastructure, is expected to result in significant nutrient and sediment reductions that will benefit local water quality as well as result in outcomes that are environmentally beneficial.
Conservation Easement Documents
Loudoun County has assumed responsibility for maintaining the Westpark property, which is surrounded by homes. Among the key maintenance needs is the mowing of grass. Because the property is now in conservation easement, it will no longer be operated or maintained as a golf course. As a result, the mowing of grass will be accomplished in a manner that is different than residents experienced when the property was a golf course. At the present time, grass mowing procedures are as follows:
- A swath of grass located approximately 20 feet from residential property lines where the Westpark property grass meets residents' grass will be cut regularly.
- A 4-foot swath of grass along both sides of the existing golf cart paths will be cut regularly to ensure the paths are walkable.
- The whole property will receive rough-cut mowing two times each year, in a manner commonly referred to as “bush hog” mowing.
- Residents should not cut grass on the county-owned property that abuts their property.
Grass Maintenance
- Loudoun County began grass mowing activities on the Westpark property in April 2023. Residents will see maintenance crews mowing grass located approximately 20 feet from residential property lines and a four-foot swath along both sides of the former golf cart paths, which are now open for public use. Mowing activities will occur weekly through October 2023.
- Weather permitting, rough-cut mowing will occur two times in 2023, in the months of July and October. The rough-cut mowing includes cutting the high grasses and weeds throughout the entire property.
- Natural Area signage will be placed 150 feet from waterways. Mowing is prohibited in this area to meet conservation easement requirements. Signage placed on property.
Building Demolitions
- In April 2023, the county disconnected utilities and demolished three buildings on the property: two former golf course maintenance buildings and one silo. Loudoun County does not own the former clubhouse and hotel that was previously associated with the Westpark property; therefore, the county’s plans do not impact this building.
Other Maintenance
- Loudoun County also has conducted other maintenance activity on the Westpark property as needed. These activities include any essential maintenance of the former golf cart paths, stormwater maintenance along certain areas of the stream corridors, and the trimming of trees as needed. These activities are conducted only on an as-needed basis to facilitate the current use of the property by the public until the new park is designed and constructed.
Related Documents
- Westpark Property Public Information Meeting - April 26, 2023
- Presentation (PDF)
- Westpark Improvements Project - FY 2023 Capital Improvement Plan (PDF)
- 08-08-22 News Release: Loudoun County Purchases Former Westpark Golf Course; Plans for Passive Park (PDF)
Contact Us
- If you have comments or questions about this property or the future park, submit this online form, email county staffor call
703-737-8624
Media Inquiries
- Email Public Information Officer Glen Barbouror call
703-771-5086