The Crown Jewels
Investing in our outdoor assets
"Our trail system and public parks are the crown jewels of Lynchburg. They are not optional extras. We must aggressively maintain and expand these spaces, because a city without room to breathe, play, and connect is a city that cannot grow."
A Decline in Our Parks
The Blackwater Creek Trail system and our network of public parks are arguably the most beloved and utilized assets in Lynchburg. However, as municipal budgets tighten, these spaces are too often treated as expendable line items.
When City Council defers maintenance on our parks, we end up with outdated playground equipment, overgrown trailheads, and neglected neighborhood green spaces. Even worse, many of our existing trails are fragmented, requiring residents to navigate dangerous, high-traffic roads just to access the network. When we allow our premier natural assets to deteriorate, we are not just losing trees and swing sets. We are losing our competitive edge. Families and young professionals actively choose where to live based on outdoor amenities, and a poorly maintained park system sends a direct message of municipal decline.
Budget Deferrals
As municipal allocations face constant friction, our parks and beloved trail infrastructure are continuously marginalized as optional expenses rather than baseline public necessities.
Dave's Outdoor Preservation & Expansion Strategy
Aggressive Maintenance & Upgrades
Dave will fight to properly fund the ongoing maintenance of our existing parks. Before we build anything new, we must ensure that the playgrounds, pavilions, and trailheads in every single ward are safe, modern, and impeccably maintained.
Why Parks are a Must
The Trail Premium
Research from the National Association of REALTORS® and Headwaters Economics indicates that homes located within a half-mile of well-maintained paved trails and greenways command price premiums of 3% to 15%, significantly enhancing municipal property tax bases. These properties often experience increased desirability and reduced days on the market, with the highest value impacts found in homes located within a 10-minute walk of trails.