Where: Westmoreland State Park

When: Sept. 26, Conviviality (social gathering) begins 5 p.m.; conference ends Sept. 28 with cabin checkout at 10 a.m. but enjoy the park on your own Saturday.

This year's Virginia Association for Parks Fall meeting will focus on advocacy efforts for Virginia State Parks as we lead up to the 2020 General Assembly and the best opportunity in years to finally make headway in staffing, operational funding, and backlog maintenance needs. The business meeting begins 9 a.m. on Sept. 27. Whether you have been a member for years or are just now learning about the challenges faced our state parks, this is your opportunity to rally around and learn how to present State Park needs to legislators and other power brokers.

While meeting attendance is reserved for paid members, you can pay your dues with the meeting registration form. Dues are $10 for individuals, $20 for organizations.

Conference fee is $60 per person and covers socials on Thursday and Friday, and all three meals on Friday.

After lunch on Friday, enjoy the park or travel with the group (transportation provided) to General's Ridge Vineyard. $14 covers tasting 14 wines

Saturday, Sept. 28 is National Public Lands Day and the park is offering special activities and self-guided programs. Paddling, shark's teeth hunting, hiking and relaxing on the beach are also available. Click here for scheduled programs.

Lodging in Westmoreland's cabins is available at the discounted rate of $47 per person per night. Camping available at no cost.

Find the agenda here: http://www.virginiaparks.org/document/2019-westmoreland-fall-conference-agenda.pdf

Find the registration for here (deadline Sept. 16): http://www.virginiaparks.org/document/fall-conference-registration-form1.pdf

About the site of the meeting:

On the Potomac River's Northern Neck, Westmoreland State Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The park features a fishing pier, boat rentals and 6 miles of trails. Fossil collectors enjoy hunting for ancient shark teeth along the Potomac. Offshore breakwaters are great for fishing. Birding enthusiasts find the park an excellent site for spotting American bald eagles, ospreys, kingfishers, great blue herons, common terns, green herons and gulls, as well as wintering waterfowl. Murphy Hall (where we will be meeting), atop Horse Head Cliffs, offers a superb view of the Potomac River.