LEESBURG, VA — After more than two decades of planning and preservation efforts, Leesburg residents finally have a town park with direct access to the Potomac River.
Veterans Park at Ball’s Bluff officially opened September 30, giving the public access to 86 acres of land along the river that the Town of Leesburg purchased in 2001 to protect from development.
The park, located at 42314 Balls Bluff Road, includes walking trails, river access, parking and a boat launch for canoes, kayaks and other non-gas-powered watercraft.
The opening marks an important milestone for a property that local officials and residents worked for years to preserve.
The Town purchased the 86-acre property for $2 million in 2001 as part of a joint land acquisition with NOVA Parks, formerly the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority. Rather than develop the property immediately, Leesburg held onto the land until funding became available to turn it into a public park.
That wait lasted more than 20 years.
The first phase of construction took approximately 16 months and cost $4.2 million, with Loudoun County contributing $4 million toward the project.
A Long Effort to Preserve Riverfront Land
The history of Veterans Park goes back to negotiations initiated by retired Judge and former Leesburg Town Council Member Frank Buttery, who worked with a private property owner to begin the process that eventually brought the land into public ownership.
Buttery attended the September 30 ribbon-cutting ceremony, along with Circuit Court Judge Debra Welsh, who served as Leesburg’s Deputy Town Attorney during the original property negotiations.
Their involvement reflects an earlier effort by local officials to protect a stretch of Potomac River frontage at a time when Loudoun County was experiencing significant growth and development pressure.
The property remained largely undeveloped while town officials worked on plans that would provide recreational access without losing the land’s natural and historical character.
The completed first phase includes a two-lane access road leading to the river, parking near the boat launch and a network of trails connecting with the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail and other NOVA Parks properties.
A separate parking area serves the trails and a picnic pavilion, which is expected to open in spring 2027.
A Place for Recreation and Local History
Veterans Park sits near Ball’s Bluff, an area closely tied to Loudoun County’s Civil War history. The town worked with NOVA Parks and local stakeholders to develop a plan that would provide recreational opportunities while protecting the property’s historical and environmental resources.
Leesburg Parks and Recreation Director Rich Williams said the project was designed with both goals in mind.
“This land has played a significant role in Leesburg’s history, while also providing a tranquil escape into nature for the community. Through the work of our Town Council, Commissions, staff, and residents, we have created a park that continues to recognize the history of the property, while opening this natural environment to our entire community for generations to come,” stated Parks and Recreation Department Director Rich Williams.
Mayor Kelly Burk was joined at the opening ceremony by Town Council Members Neil Steinberg and Zach Cummings, members of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission, town staff and other community representatives.
Leesburg District Supervisor Kristen Umstattd also attended, representing the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors.
Following the ceremony, Burk and Umstattd took a ceremonial canoe trip on the Potomac River to mark the opening of the new public access point.
New Opportunities to Enjoy the Potomac
For Leesburg residents, the park provides something the town has not previously offered through its own park system: a place to reach the Potomac River directly for paddling, fishing and other outdoor activities.
Visitors can walk along the trails, explore the natural surroundings or launch a canoe or kayak without traveling to another community.
Mayor Burk said she hopes the park becomes a place where residents can spend time outdoors and enjoy one of the region’s most important natural resources.
“Veterans Park gives us a new place to gather. It is a place where families can enjoy a picnic, where someone can spend a quiet moment fishing along the river, where friends can launch a canoe or kayak, and where residents can hike the trails and discover the native plants and natural beauty that make this area so special. It is also a place where we can slow down for a moment and appreciate the incredible natural resources we are fortunate to have here in Leesburg. I hope generations of Leesburg residents will come here to make memories with their families, enjoy the outdoors, explore the trails, experience the Potomac River, and simply appreciate the beauty of this special place,” stated Mayor Burk.
The park’s opening also represents a long-term investment in preserving open space in a county where development has changed much of the landscape over the past several decades.
By purchasing the land years before construction funding was available, Leesburg was able to keep this stretch of riverfront property in public ownership rather than see it developed for private use.
Visiting Veterans Park
Veterans Park at Ball’s Bluff is located at 42314 Balls Bluff Road in Leesburg.
The park is currently open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., although operating hours will change seasonally.
Visitors can use the walking trails and river access facilities, including the launch area for non-gas-powered boats. The picnic pavilion is scheduled to open in spring 2027.
Additional information, including updated park hours and facilities, is available through the Town of Leesburg’s Veterans Park webpage.
