{{Infobox park | name = Explore Park | image = Explore Park Visitor Center.jpg | image_size = 300px | image_alt = Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center at Explore Park | image_caption = Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center at Explore Park | map = USA Virginia | map_size = 300 | type = | location = | nearest_city = Roanoke, Virginia | coordinates = {{Coord|37|14|17.8|N|79|51|7|W|display=inline;title}} | area = {{convert|1100|acre}} | created = 1985 | operator = Roanoke County, Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism | visitation_num = 18,000 (2014) | status = | designation = | open = {{start date|1994|07|02}} | website = {{URL |www.explorepark.org/231/Explore-Park |explorepark.org}} }} '''Explore Park''' is a {{convert|1100|acre|adj=on}} passive recreation facility operated by the Roanoke County Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. The park is located at milepost 115 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Roanoke County, Virginia, with {{convert|700|acre}} of the park lying in Roanoke County and {{convert|400|acre}} in adjacent Bedford County.<ref>VRFA, ''Virginia's Explore Park'' (2010). p. 3</ref> It includes various restored local historical structures and both hiking and biking trails, along with access to the Roanoke River for recreational use via an external county road. The park is located near the gorge where the Roanoke River leaves the Roanoke Valley.
== History == The River Foundation was formed by Roanoke Valley-area community and business leaders to create a recreational attraction as a hub for tourism in western Virginia.<ref name=VRFA-8 /> The Virginia General Assembly created the Virginia Recreational Facilities Authority (VRFA) in 1986 to further these ends, and VRFA worked in partnership with the River Foundation.<ref name=VRFA-8>VRFA, ''Virginia's Explore Park'' (2010). p. 8</ref> The initial aim was to draw visitors driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Roanoke area. The VRFA acquired the land in 1988 with a {{US$|6000000|1988|round=-4}} appropriation from the General Assembly and the site became a Virginia state park.<ref name=VRFA-8 /> Explore Park has received considerable investment at the federal, state and local levels totaling nearly {{US$|52000000|2008|round=-4}} by 2008.<ref name=VRFA-9>VRFA, ''Virginia's Explore Park'' (2010). p. 9</ref>
Early ideas included an expanded Mill Mountain Zoo and a historical theme park that would educate visitors on the journey of Lewis and Clark through the American frontier.<ref name=RT-20150531 /> Roanoke's then city manager Bern Ewart left his post to oversee the park's development. A lack of investment funds led the park to become a more modest living history museum focused on the early history of Southwest Virginia. Today's Explore Park began to emerge on September 10, 1991 when reconstruction began on the 1837 Hofauger House of Roanoke County.<ref name=VRFA-8 /> The River Foundation transferred operating authority to VRFA on July 1, 1994 and Explore Park opened to the public one day later, on July 2, 1994.<ref name=VRFA-10>VRFA, ''Virginia's Explore Park'' (2010). p. 10</ref> Between 1991 and 2002 various other historical structures including a working tavern and grist mill were added to the property.
After the plans for Disney's America were unveiled in September 1993, some officials from Explore Park noted striking similarities in proposed themes and rides.<ref name=WaPo-940726>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1994/07/26/disney-may-have-taken-ideas-from-va-theme-park-officials-say/94e03a7d-a021-45fb-94e9-50205af46088/ |title=Disney may have taken ideas from Va. theme park, officials say |author=Shear, Michael D. |date=26 July 1994 |newspaper=The Washington Post |accessdate=13 December 2016}}</ref>
===Planned partnership with Virginia Living Histories=== thumb|left|250px|Explore Park's Totero Village
On July 24, 2001 Roanoke County made a five-year financial commitment to the park when the State of Virginia eliminated the park's annual appropriation, starting in 2002.<ref name=VRFA-13>VRFA, ''Virginia's Explore Park'' (2010). p. 13</ref> Four years later, in June 2005, Virginia Living Histories (VLH) approached VRFA with a plan to develop Explore Park into a major tourist destination. VLH was headed by Larry Vander Maten, a Florida-based developer.<ref name=VRFA-13 /> Vander Maten hired a team of three consultants, including a former Disney executive, who toured the park in July 2005 to come up with ideas. The trio left after the tour, lunch at a fried pickle restaurant, and meetings with local officials with promises to keep the concepts close to the 1987 master plan.<ref>{{cite news|author=Podger, Pamela J. |url=http://www.roanoke.com/webmin/news/consultants-give-explore-park-thorough-scrutiny/article_6901eb6f-106f-5ec5-bb01-74bec77f8d2c.html |title=Consultants give Explore Park thorough scrutiny |newspaper=The Roanoke Times |date=18 November 2007 |accessdate=31 December 2016}}</ref> The agreement between VRFA and VLH was for a three-year lease option agreement, with up to two one-year extensions, allowing VLH to conduct studies and come up with a final proposal<ref name=VRFA-13 /> prior to VLH committing to development and investment of a minimum of {{US$|90000000|2005|round=-4}} in the first three years of a 99-year lease.<ref name=VRFA-6>VRFA, ''Virginia's Explore Park'' (2010). p. 6</ref> VLH estimated its total investment would be closer to {{US$|200000000|2005|round=-4}}.<ref name=VRFA-14>VRFA, ''Virginia's Explore Park'' (2010). p. 14</ref>
On October 16, 2007, the Roanoke Times reported that the park would not reopen for the 2008 season in April after the 2007 season ended on November 18.<ref>{{cite news|author=Lowe, Cody |url=http://www.roanoke.com/news/breaking/wb/136068 |title=Explore Park, awaiting developer's plan, to close next month |publisher=Roanoke.com |date=2007-10-16 |accessdate=2009-10-05}}</ref> VRFA did not have adequate funding to operate Explore Park beyond the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, so plans were made to shut down the park and preserve its historical artifacts at the end of the 2007 season instead.<ref name=VRFA-6 /> The last-day visitors expressed disappointment in the park's planned closure, with then-9-year-old William Cathey saying that he hoped "they are going to build something new that's pretty nice" but he suspected "it's never going to be as good as it is."<ref name=RT-20071118>{{cite news|author=Sturgeon, Jeff |url=http://www.roanoke.com/webmin/news/explore-park-fires-go-out-for-last-time/article_cb701e6e-196c-5f2d-8a91-30d37d1778b1.html |title=Explore Park fires go out for last time |newspaper=The Roanoke Times |date=18 November 2007 |accessdate=31 December 2016}}</ref> At the time, it was thought that VLH would decide to proceed with its investment, and the anticipated impact to the public would be minimal, as VLH would have needed to shut down the park in any event starting in 2008 to commence construction.<ref name=VRFA-6 /> The park transitioned to a passive recreation facility on July 1, 2008,<ref name=VRFA-6 /> and the park's buildings were shuttered with the exception of the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center.<ref name=RT-20100621 /> However, due to the global recession, there were no willing lenders and VLH would exercise its options for two one-year extensions to the review/study period, as capital to begin construction was not available, and VRFA began developing alternative plans.<ref name=VRFA-6 />
Near the end of the first extension period, on April 28, 2009, Vander Maten revealed a plan to open a resort named "Blue Ridge America" featuring amenities which include an equestrian center, man-made lakes, retail shops, a golf course, conference center, spa, a system of overhead gondolas to transport visitors around the park, and what was billed as the "longest, highest zip line anywhere."<ref name=RT-20090428>{{cite news |author=Lowe, Cody |url=http://www.roanoke.com/webmin/news/developer-unveils-plans-for-explore-park-redo-in-roanoke-county/article_2235e959-eefe-572c-b099-35a4a2b57000.html |title=Developer unveils plans for Explore Park redo in Roanoke County |newspaper=The Roanoke Times |date=2009-04-28 |accessdate=2009-10-05 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628120132/https://roanoke.com/webmin/news/developer-unveils-plans-for-explore-park-redo-in-roanoke-county/article_2235e959-eefe-572c-b099-35a4a2b57000.html |archivedate=28 June 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> Mr. Vander Maten was unable to raise the necessary funds, and the lease option was allowed to expire in June 2010.<ref name=RT-20100621>{{cite news|author=Lowe, Cody |url=http://www.roanoke.com/webmin/news/what-s-next-for-explore-park/article_ae387353-2be2-5092-bd7e-143d409ef2b0.html |title=What's next for Explore Park? |newspaper=The Roanoke Times |date=21 June 2010 |accessdate=31 December 2016}}</ref>
===Re-Opening and ''Adventure Plan''=== In October 2013, the park re-opened after being purchased by the Virginia Recreational Facilities Authority through a 99-year operating lease to the County of Roanoke. The facility is currently operated by the County's Parks, Recreation and Tourism department as a passive recreation facility.<ref name=RS-20130209 /> Under Roanoke County administration, annual visitors increased from 13,000 or fewer in 2012 and 2013 to more than 18,000 in 2014, the first full year under County management.<ref name=RT-20150531>{{cite news |url=http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke-county-bringing-new-life-to-explore-park/article_e174129c-1831-5757-9f73-d2c34888a5db.html |title=Roanoke County bringing new life to Explore Park |author=Forman, Carmen |date=31 May 2015 |newspaper=The Roanoke Times |accessdate=16 December 2016}}</ref>
The County is currently seeking to develop the site as an outdoor adventure park with amenities such as cabins, RV parks and zip lines.<ref name=RS-20130209>{{cite news|author=Marrano, Gene |url=http://theroanokestar.com/2013/09/02/roanoke-countys-newest-park-will-take-shape-at-explore-park/ |title=Roanoke County's Newest Park Will Take Shape at Explore |publisher=theroanokestar.com |date=2013-02-09 |accessdate=2013-02-09}}</ref> Roanoke County hired the Philadelphia-based firm of Wallace Roberts & Todd in July 2015 after evaluating four bids to develop a master plan for the next twenty years of park development.<ref name=RT-20150707>{{cite news |url=http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke-county-signs-contract-for-new-explore-park-master-plan/article_2d3b1d47-e542-5de3-b170-b1b74970266a.html |title=Roanoke County signs contract for new Explore Park master plan |author=Forman, Carmen |date=7 July 2015 |newspaper=The Roanoke Times |accessdate=16 December 2016}}</ref> Over the next five years, the County intends to embark on a {{US$|3000000|2015|round=-4}} capital improvement plan to bring utilities to the Park and improve park roads.<ref name=RT-20150707 /> ==Historical Area== The historical area within Explore Park is home to dozens of 18th- and 19th-century buildings relocated from their original locations and reconstructed on-site. Following the 2007 shutdown, the buildings are not normally publicly accessible, but the Mountain Union Church may be rented for special events, including weddings. Other buildings include:<ref name=HistArea>{{cite web |url=http://www.explorepark.org/375/Historical-Area |title=Historical Area |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2014 |publisher=Roanoke County, Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism |accessdate=16 December 2016}}</ref>
* '''Mountain Union Church''' — opened April 19, 1998 following an investment of {{US$|239000|1998|round=-3}}; originally built in the early 1800s following a grant of {{convert|1|acre}} of land by George Etzler at the juncture of old Blacksburg Road and Catawba Road in the Haymakertown area of Botetourt County.<ref name=VRFA-10-12>VRFA, ''Virginia's Explore Park'' (2010). pp. 10–12</ref> * '''Brugh Tavern''' — opened April 28, 1998 following an investment of {{US$|1400000|1998|round=-3}} as a restaurant with historical ambience; originally located near the Great Wagon Road in Botetourt County.<ref name=VRFA-10-12 /> * '''Roanoke Explorer Batteau''' — opened August 24, 1999 following an investment of {{US$|75000|1999|round=-3}}; offering batteau rides to illustrate the flow of commerce prior to the rise of the railroads in the mid-19th century and a common entrepreneurship opportunity for freed slaves.<ref name=VRFA-10-12 /> thumb|right|250px|Totero Village * '''Totero Village''' — opened June 22, 2002 following an investment of {{US$|35000|2002|round=-3}}; containing four houses (enlarged to seven in 2005), work shelters, a hide-tanning area, and a garden patterned after a Native American village from the late 17th century.<ref name=VRFA-10-12 /> * '''Slone's Grist Mill''' — opened September 20, 2002 following an investment of {{US$|330000|2002|round=-3}}; originally built 1880–1890 in the Turner's Creek section of Franklin County on the Pigg River.<ref name=VRFA-10-12 /> * '''Frontier Fort''' — opened in 2004 following an investment of {{US$|5000|2004|round=-3}} using logs harvested from the Explore Park property; patterned after a refuge built by Ephraim Vause, Fort Vause, that was built near the present town of Shawsville along the Roanoke River.<ref name=VRFA-10-12 /> Demolished in 2023. * '''Blacksmith Shop''' — patterned after historical smithies on the Great Wagon Road * '''Hofauger House''' — originally built in 1837 at the intersection of Ogden Road and Colonial Avenue in Roanoke County. Repurposed in 2025 as a discovery center. * '''Houtz Barn''' — a German double-crib bank barn originally located on a farm on Mason's Creek near present-day Salem. * '''Kemp's Ford School House''' — a single-room schoolhouse originally located near a ford of the Blackwater River in Franklin County. * '''Leninger Cabin''' — originally built in 2010 for the filming of the movie ''Alone yet Not Alone'' and patterned on a log cabin from the 1750s.
===Other buildings and structures=== Other park features built to accommodate visitors include:
* '''Arthur Taubman Welcome Center''' — opened on May 6, 1998 following an investment of {{US$|845000|1998|round=-3}} to serve as the park's gateway.<ref name=VRFA-10-12 /> * '''Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center''' — opened on May 7, 2001 following an investment of {{US$|1300000|2001|round=-3}} to educate visitors about the Blue Ridge Parkway.<ref name=VRFA-10-12 /> It is the only building which remained open after 2007.<ref name=VRFA-14 /><ref name=RT-20100621 /> * '''Salem Turnpike''' — opened May 17, 2002 following an investment of {{US$|75000|2002|round=-3}} which is a {{convert|1.8|mi|adj=on}} perimeter road around the Historical Area underwritten by the city of Salem.<ref name=VRFA-10-12 />
==In popular culture== The movie ''Alone yet Not Alone'' (2014) was filmed at Explore Park in 2010. The film documents the true historical account of the Leininger sisters, settlers in Pennsylvania who were captured by Delaware Indians following the Penn's Creek massacre on October 16, 1755.<ref name=HistArea />
== References == {{Reflist|30em}}
===Bibliography=== * {{cite report |url=http://leg2.state.va.us/dls/h&sdocs.nsf/By+Year/HD172010/$file/HD17.pdf |title=Virginia's Explore Park [Chapter 279 and Chapter 731 (2010)] |date=December 2010 |publisher=Commonwealth of Virginia |quote=''House Document no. 17'' |author=The Virginia Recreational Facilities Authority (VRFA) |accessdate=16 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220130208/http://leg2.state.va.us/dls/h%26sdocs.nsf/By+Year/HD172010/%24file/HD17.pdf |archivedate=20 December 2016 |url-status=dead }} * {{cite report |url=http://www.explorepark.org/DocumentCenter/View/1781 |title=Explore Park Adventure Plan |author1=Wallace Roberts & Todd |author2=Balzer and Associates |author3=Pros Consulting |publisher=Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism |date=2016 |accessdate=16 December 2016}}
== External links == {{Commons category}} * [http://www.explorepark.org/231/Explore-Park Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism: Explore Park]
{{Authority control}}
Category:Parks in Roanoke County, Virginia Category:1985 establishments in Virginia