Albemarle planning commission reviews parks chapter of AC 44 as residents press for equestrian trails at Biscuit Run

Albemarle County planners presented the draft Parks, Recreation and Open Space chapter of the AC 44 comprehensive plan at the Feb. 25 Planning Commission work session, asking commissioners to weigh priorities including accelerated development of urban parks and greenways, increased county ownership of parkland, and environmental resilience measures.

The presentation, led by Tori Kanalopoulos, principal planner on the county's long-range team, and Tim Padalino, chief of parks planning, outlined seven objectives for the chapter: plan equitably for parks needs; increase county ownership of parks and greenways; accelerate urban parks in development areas; increase access and universal design; boost environmental resilience; expand trail networks (including blueways); and expand recreation programs and facilities.

Why it matters: The chapter will guide parks investments under AC 44 — the county's multi-year comprehensive plan — and help direct future master planning and capital funding. Padalino told the commission the county has seen sharp rises in park use since 2019 and must plan for both access and stewardship: “We had over 600,000 more visitors in 2023 than we did in 2019. That's over a 40% increase,” he said.

Planners emphasized several near-term actions: pursue a countywide parks and recreation master plan and needs assessment; prioritize pocket parks and greenways in development areas; identify new funding mechanisms; and strengthen staffing and maintenance capacity if the county acquires more parkland. Kanalopoulos said the chapter team already is recommending more emphasis on environmental sustainability, including invasive species management, tree canopy, riparian restoration and stream buffers.

Commissioners pressed staff on implementation and measurable objectives. Commissioner Firehawk welcomed the emphasis on urban pocket parks but cautioned against plans that “are plans to make a plan,” urging more concrete, measurable actions. Commissioner Murray asked how parks planning coordinates with the school system for shared athletic facilities; Padalino said Parks & Recreation maintains a memorandum of understanding for community use of school facilities and programs with school staff. Commissioner Bivens urged that objective 3 — accelerating development-area parks — be the driver of near-term work because most county residents live in development areas.

Discussion also focused on tools to secure land for parks. Padalino told the commission Albemarle has no dedicated land acquisition fund or land-acquisition policy and that staff often relies on developer proffers or donations and on partnerships with nonprofit groups such as the Albemarle Parks Foundation, Charlottesville Area Mountain Bike Club and local trail organizations.

Commissioners and staff also discussed the Rivanna River corridor vision, which spans roughly 17 miles of greenways and blueway access points. Padalino described the river corridor as “an underutilized asset” that could become a regional outdoor-recreation destination if connected and improved.

Public comment and Biscuit Run equestrian requests: After the staff session, the commission opened public comment (not part of the staff presentation) and heard multiple residents and local equine-business owners call for reintroducing equestrian trails at Biscuit Run Park. Speakers included Judy Berger, owner of Loose Horse Mobile Tack Exchange; Kristen Jones of Batesville; Shawnee Baker, manager of a local Tack store; Millington Stables owner Liz King; Lucia Evans Morse, a boarding farm owner; and Anne Wicks, a longtime resident. Many described the county's equestrian heritage and economic ties.

Several speakers said equestrian access was in earlier plans for Biscuit Run when the site was discussed in a Virginia State Park plan. Mark Gebhardt, an equine-business owner, urged the commission to ensure objectives in the parks chapter are “quantified, specific, measurable and achievable” and said the equine community is requesting the board direct staff to add equestrian trails back into Biscuit Run. Lynn Gebhardt cited a state estimate saying the equine industry contributes more than $1.3 billion annually to Virginia’s economy.

Kanalopoulos replied during the staff session that specific trail uses (such as equestrian routes) are typically determined in future site-level master plans and updates to the countywide parks and recreation master plan and needs assessment; she said Biscuit Run equestrian details were appropriate for the later parks master-plan process rather than the countywide comp-plan chapter. Padalino added that some trail and stormwater infrastructure in the Biscuit Run area predate current standards and that any future design would need to address modern stormwater treatment and maintenance needs.

Nut graf: The parks chapter advances guiding objectives and actions for parks and greenways across Albemarle but leaves project-level decisions — such as whether to include equestrian trails at specific parks — to subsequent, more detailed planning and the parks master-plan process. Residents pressed for explicit Biscuit Run equestrian access at public comment; staff said such uses would likely be evaluated in future park-level master planning and in the countywide parks and needs assessment.

Ending: Staff will return chapters and updated materials to the commission as AC 44 moves through the public-review schedule. Kanalopoulos asked the commission for feedback on the focus topics; commissioners emphasized measurable objectives, funding for acquisition and maintenance, leveraging development-area density for activated parks, and stronger cross-chapter links to transportation and economic development.

Quotes

"We had over 600,000 more visitors in 2023 than we did in 2019. That's over a 40% increase," Tim Padalino, chief of parks planning.

"I move to make (objective 3) the driver...tell me what's happening in the 5% (development area)," Commissioner Bivens.

"The parks chapter should have measurable, specific objectives so we can say 'we did that action,'" Mark Gebhardt, equine-business owner.

"Please include horseback riding in your plans," Judy Berger, owner, Loose Horse Mobile Tack Exchange.

Sections

- Lede: county planners presented the parks chapter and commissioners probed implementation, funding and measurable targets.

- Nut graf: why this matters for acquisition, maintenance and for future master planning; Biscuit Run equestrian requests prompted by public comment.

- Body: objectives and staff presentation details; commission questions and public comments; staff responses on when equestrian access would be decided.

- Ending: next steps and schedule notes.