The Future of Morven Park Revealed

Details regarding the future of were presented to the public Tuesday night by President Jim Harris and Executive Director Frank Milligan.

It was the which reviews upcoming additions, makeovers and other future changes that will transform the property within the next ten to fifteen years.

“Tonight we’re really starting the process of closing the loop from an early set of discussions we had with the community about the future of Morven Park,” Harris said, dating back to the Fall of 2010. The meetings helped staff to better understand what people’s views of Morven Park were and how they thought it would fit into the community at large.

“We used that as an input to a strategic planning process that we’ve been undergoing for the past year along with the creation of a new master plan for Morven Park, which is very exciting I think,” Harris said.

, Milligan said the plan, which was adopted on Dec. 12, will include separate trail systems for pedestrians, bicyclists, and equestrians, easier access through Morven Park, sports fields, and a new Coach House Discovery Center, among other things.

All of the changes were on display for the public to view on Tuesday.

“This is very exciting,” said Ashburn resident Caroline Deutsch, who works for Loudoun Soccer, in Leesburg. “We have a long standing relationship with the folks at Morven and had rented field space from them in the past and have been talking to them about building fields for probably five years now.”

Deutsch said that as soon as she received an update on where the master plan stood she was eager to see where things were headed. To her surprise the sports fields are one of the first things to open later this year.

“Usually we’re not the first phase so it’s a new and different place for us but very exciting,” Deutsch said. “The population is growing so fast we can’t keep up with it. The county is doing their best with what they have but they can’t keep up. So looking at a private entity that’s looking to build is very exciting for everybody.”

Other projects that are already underway include renovations to some of the equestrian facilities and a Governor’s Walk, which will allow for easier access throughout the property.

Unfortunately, Harris said it will take ten to fifteen years to fully realize the master plan in its entirety.

“It’s a very long ranged plan and in fact we are in the process of doing some more detailed planning that covers the next 18, 24, 36 months,” he said. “We’re in it for the long hull but we think it’s incredibly important to have the community involved, the people who have an interest in Morven Park and its future.”

Harris said he believes Morven Park is an valuable asset to the community. With 1200 acres right on the edge of Leesburg  it should be enjoyed by everyone, he said.

“We believe that there’s a new community here who would really benefit from these opportunities. Whether it’s learning how to grow bio diverse crops, equestrian sports, or the Governors view on what transparency and government means," Harris said. “We believe we have a real treasure and frankly it's been underutilized in the past and probably therefore underappreciated.

"We’d really like to have everyone understand what is here and available, what they can learn, and really get the community involved in progressing Morven Park and making it relevant in today’s life.”

A second presentation is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 1 beginning at 7 p.m. To learn more visit www.MorvenPark.org.