Leesburg Breaks Ground on Long-Awaited Veterans Park at Balls Bluff

Leesburg officials and community leaders gathered Saturday, May 10, to mark the ceremonial groundbreaking of Veterans Park at Balls Bluff, a long-anticipated public recreation project. The event signals the beginning of construction on the first phase of the park, which will ultimately offer Leesburg residents direct access to the Potomac River and a range of recreational amenities.

Mayor Kelly Burk led the ceremony, joined by Town Council members, Loudoun County Supervisors, state delegates, and retired Judge Frank Buttery, whose efforts helped secure the land for the park within town limits. Town staff, the Leesburg Parks and Recreation Commission, and Madigan Construction representatives were also present to commemorate the milestone. The Town initially purchased the 86-acre site in 2001 for $2 million, and has since collaborated with NOVA Parks and other local stakeholders to balance park development with environmental and historical preservation.

The $4.2 million project has received significant backing from Loudoun County, which provided $4 million in funding in 2021. The first phase of construction will include a two-lane access road, parking, and a ramp for launching non-motorized boats—making Veterans Park the first in Leesburg with direct river access. Completion of this phase is expected by summer 2026.

The second phase, slated for completion in fall 2029, will expand amenities with additional parking, a picnic pavilion, upgrades to existing silos, and enhanced trail infrastructure. Over more than two decades of planning, the Town has emphasized community involvement and environmental stewardship to shape the park into a regional destination.

Article by multiple RFHC contributors, based upon information from a Town of Leesburg press release.

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