Bobby Wilcox has fond memories of visiting Virginia’s State Parks as a child, just one reason why he was quick to get behind the effort to bring a State Park to Powhatan.

Now, with plans for the Powhatan State Park on the Historic James well under way, Wilcox is heading up a committee to bring together other supporters of the project.

The Friends of the Park will be comprised of volunteers who will help with areas of park management ranging from giving tours to maintenance.

Not only will the group help get county residents involved in the park, said Wilcox, but it will also save the facility much-needed dollars.

“Virginia has the number one rated state park system in the country,” Wilcox pointed out, “but we are number 50 when it comes to funding. So much of what makes this state’s parks so successful starts at the volunteer level.”

The Powhatan group started with a core group of people who had been supporters of the park since the idea was first proposed. Word has spread largely through word of mouth, and Wilcox plans to get the word out through local media and school campaigns as well.

Wilcox said he wanted to form a group in Powhatan before the park was opened, so that they would be ready to get to work immediately.

“It is just one of the most wonderful things,” Wilcox said of the future park in Powhatan. “Having a park here will be an amazing asset.”

For more information on becoming a member of the Powhatan Friends of the Park, contact Wilcox at 804-598-6656 or 804-598-2901.