PATRICK COUNTY, Va. (Romero Report) — The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has completed cabin renovations at Fairy Stone and Douthat state parks.

The upgrades mark a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to enhance visitor experience and preserve the historical elements of this park, a new release said.

Led by PMA Architecture, the renovation project began in 2021 as part of a comprehensive plan to modernize infrastructure while maintaining the historical integrity of the cabins, originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s and cinder block cabins from the 1950s.

The first phase, completed in the spring of 2023, included 29 cabins.

The second phase wrapped up in May 2024, covering the remaining 26 cabins.

Upgrades included:

• Rehabilitated exterior and interior log cabin walls
• New exterior cladding and interior finishing on cinder block cabins
• Upgraded bathrooms and kitchens with new stainless-steel appliances
• Enhanced plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems
• Installation of new windows and furniture

Sustainability was a key focus throughout the renovation process, incorporating eco-friendly materials and practices to minimize environmental impact, the release said.

Accessibility improvements were also a priority.

Fairy Stone transformed its most popular lakefront log cabin into an ADA-compliant unit.

This involved redesigning the bathroom and kitchen layouts and constructing an elevated sidewalk to the front porch and entry door.

With these renovations, the park now offers ADA-compliant log and cinder block cabins.

“We are excited to open these newly renovated and historically significant cabins to the citizens of the commonwealth,” said DCR’s Director of Planning and Recreation Resources Kelly McClary. “We hope the public enjoys the upgraded amenities and the attention to detail that the design and construction team delivered to this very important project.” 

Guests can make reservations online at reservevaparks.com or by calling the Virginia State Parks Reservation Center at 800-933-PARK.

Copyright 2024 by Luis Romero. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced, rewritten, or redistributed.