Here’s a roundup of news briefs from around Southwest and Southside. Send yours for possible inclusion to news@cardinalnews.org.
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Virginia opens new state park, this one in Highland County
Hayfields State Park in Highland County is now officially open. It’s the 44th state park and the fourth new one added during the past four years.
The 1,034-acre property, previously known as Hayfields Reserve, was acquired by the Virginia Outdoors Foundation in 2017 with the assistance of The Conservation Fund. In June 2023, 994 acres were transferred to the Department of Conservation and Recreation, with the remaining 40 acres transferred in August 2025.
Hayfields State Park is located in Highland County between the Bullpasture and Jack Mountains at an elevation ranging from 1,800 to 2,400 feet. It features a mix of heavily wooded mountain land, valley pastures and several structures, including an 1800s farmhouse. The Bullpasture River flows through the property for roughly a mile and is home to numerous threatened and endangered species, according to a news release from the state.
The park currently features four miles of easy-to-moderate hiking and biking trails, and fishing access along the Bullpasture River. While the park is open daily from dawn to dusk, the park office operates on limited hours. Visitors are encouraged to call 540-396-4489 to confirm office availability before their arrival.
A master plan committee will be established to guide the park’s future management and development. The process is anticipated to begin in early 2027.
For more information about Virginia State Parks and future developments at Hayfields, visit www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/hayfields.
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Two projects in Southwest Virginia get abandoned mine funding
Two former mine sites in Southwest Virginia have been selected for funding through the federal Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization program, according to a joint statement from Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem.
The two selected projects are:
- Food Incubator at Southern Gap in Buchanan County ($1,120,000): Construction of a one-story metal building with concrete floors and conditioned space, including restrooms, a common dining area, and two kitchen rental spaces. The incubator will have up to five food truck slips with water, sewer and electricity for food truck vendors.
- Camp Bethel Expansion Project in Wise County ($3,050,000): The project includes geotechnical studies, engineering, property acquisition, road and building upgrades, and excavation for a flat parking area, an engineered rock-climbing wall, adaptive snow tubing, ziplines, a playground and hiking trails.
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VCEDA Seed Capital Grant awarded to Russell County business
A fly fishing destination in Russell County has received $10,000 from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority Seed Capital Matching Grant.
“River Hill Farms is seeking to capitalize on a tourism market which is largely untapped in our region, building a business model around fly fishing aimed at attracting anglers from not only the area, but well beyond our region and state,” said Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director/general counsel in a statement. “The new business projects one full-time employee and three part-time employees within five years.”
Hill Farms offers guided fly fishing trout catch and release expeditions along Big Cedar Creek while working on the construction/renovation of the lodge facility which is now about 75 to 80 percent complete. A projected opening for the three-bedroom, three-bath lodge is in early spring 2026.
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Smith Mountain art show winners announced
The Smith Mountain Arts Council hass announced this year’s Annual Art Show winners.
Best In Show
Tranquility on the Porch-Victoria McGrath
Watercolor – 1st Place
Walk in the Country-Olivia K. Smith
Watercolor – 2nd Place
Serenity-Eddie Haynes
Watercolor Merit Award
The Glorious Sea-Olivia K. Smith
Oil – 1st Place
Classic-Whitney Brock
Oil – 2nd Place
Star – Untitled-Leah Thompson (pictured)
Oil – Merit Award
Road to Highland-Ed Gowan
Acrylic/ Mixed Media – 1st Place
Dusk at the Lake- Emily Wise
Acrylic/ Mixed Media – 2nd Place
The Fuzzy Lepidopterist-Stephen Blancett
Acrylic/Mixed Media – Merit Award
Blue Bottles-Harriet Madar
Other – 1st Place
Sheep Creek Falls-Cristine Bass
Other – 2nd Place
Basket Illusion-Dan Madar
Other – Merit Award
I Saved you a Seat-Karen Taylor
Student – 1st Place
Untitled (with Bus)-Evie Belcher
Student – 2nd Place
Costume Matching-Isabelle Vann
Student – Merit Award
Busy Hands-Porschea Hancock
Find all the entries here:https://smithmountainartscouncil.com/art-show-2025
Visit the show daily 10-4 through October 25 at Kaleidoscope on 2500 Hardy Road.