Bedford County Parks & Recreation is working with the Salem-based Halcyon Planning & Design to create a master plan for our parks.

The goal of this plan is to optimize Bedford County’s existing parks and recreation resources and assets, as well as strategically plan for the future. Bedford County currently has three large regional parks (Falling Creek, Moneta, and Montvale) and two smaller parks (County Rec and Independence).

Bedford County is 770 square miles that includes 650 acres of park land. The parks contain more than 40 miles of multi-use trails, 128 holes of disc golf, a skate park, 10 baseball/softball fields, 10 soccer fields (various sizes), four playgrounds, 10+ picnic shelters, three ponds and acres of greenspace.

Project Timeline

2021 - The Bedford County Board of Supervisors identified the Parks Master Plan as a Strategic Priority.

April 2023 - Citizens were encouraged to complete a seven-question survey about Bedford County parks and their recommendations. Approximately 1,200 people completed the survey.

Dec. 2023 - Halcyon Planning & Design presented a draft plan/recommendations to the Board of Supervisors. Their suggestions for improvement included infilling existing parks with new or enhanced amenities and adding more small, targeted parks in underserved areas.

Aug. 2024 - Halcyon Planning & Design presented a second draft plan to the Board of Supervisors. This draft plan is undergoing final revisions and is expected to be voted on by the end of 2024.

News Coverage

• "Bedford Co. Parks and Rec launches survey for updated master plan" - WSLS, (April 25, 2023)
• "Master plan looks at Bedford County parks, areas to improve" - News & Advance, (Dec. 22, 2023)