At Morven Park, No is Not an Answer

At Morven Park, No is Not an Answer

By Bill Cauley

Like almost everything else curtailed during the COVID-19 pandemic, Leesburg’s Morven Park went into semi-hibernation.

Although closed for most major events, including wedding receptions and horse shows, the park remained accessible so that visitors still could walk on the trails, maintaining physical distancing, of course.

“People were tired of being at home, being cooped up,” said Stacey Metcalfe, executive director/CEO at Morven Park. “Having the opportunity to come here, socially distancing, walking around the property. I think it was a good thing during that time.”

Morven Park Executive Director Stacey Metcalfe

Photo by Bill Cauley

Now, just over two years later, Morven Park—often described as Loudoun County’s 1,000-acre backyard—is back in full swing, with plenty of activities available for young and old.

Metcalfe, who took the position at Morven Park in January, 2021, was in the right situation when the top job came open.

“I was fortunate enough that I was a trustee here,” said Metcalfe, who formerly worked at INOVA Loudoun Hospital. “I was actually asked to lead a search committee to find a new executive director.”

All she had to do was look in the mirror.

“When I realized I wanted to take on this role, I had a lot of experience in reading through, and understanding, what the board of trustees wanted to accomplish,” she said. “First and foremost, I think the most important thing was making sure that the community knew that Morven Park was here for them.”

Morven Park, where Westmoreland Davis, Virginia’s 48th governor resided from 1903-1942, is a private facility but open to the public. Metcalfe, who got married at the park, calls it her “happy place.”

“I kept thinking: ‘this could be a great job,’” Metcalfe said of her decision to apply for the position. She knew if she didn’t act right away, the job might not be available in three years.

“I love this place,” Metcalfe said. “I’m a runner. I run here.”

Coming out of the pandemic, Metcalfe knew she had to do more to make Morven Park more user-friendly, and most important, do away with a “no” syndrome.

“When I drove up the lane, I noticed there were all these signs that said ‘no’ to one thing or another,” Metcalfe said. “No photography, no this, no that. You’re coming up the lane and you’re presented with a lot of no signs. That was my No. 1 thing.”

Metcalfe wasn’t about to wait for maintenance workers to handle it. “I physically pulled up all of those signs,” she said. “I wanted to make sure the community knew they were welcomed.”

There are still rules and regulations for Morven Park, but Metcalfe said there’s a right and a wrong way to do things.

“There are ways to present these rules and regulations without having to unnecessarily bombard people with a lot of no’s,” Metcalfe said. “I wanted to make sure the community knew we were an asset to them. I called my team together and told them we actually have to do something about these signs.”

Metcalfe said no significant changes have been made since she took over the park. “I think the big thing was just better communication,” she said, adding thatstaffing changes were minimal.

“We were fortunate in that we have a pretty small, and a nimble, staff here,” Metcalfe said. “Most of our roles could be done from home (during the pandemic). We did not have to furlough or let anyone go. Maintenance crews remained in place. We just did a lot of re-thinking.”

Once the re-boot began, it was just a matter of resuming already-existing programs, which includes the International Equestrian Center, resumption of various horse competitions, bringing the Center for Civic Impact back up to speed, and involvement with local schools.

“When the schools shut down, we had to work at how we could get our lessons, which are free, out to those kids while they were in remote learning,” Metcalfe said. “We had to pivot, we had to think differently.”

And through it all, Morven Park has remained one of Loudoun County’s premier attractions, both for residents and tourists.