A Respectful Approach to Mickie Gordon Park

A Respectful Approach to Mickie Gordon Park

By Bridge Littleton

Middleburg has always been known as a community that comes together when times are tough. It’s one of our core values that makes us who we are.

Last year these values were put to the test when Loudoun County Parks and Rec (LCPR) announced plans for converting Mickie Gordon Memorial Park into three field cricket grounds.

The park has been a central part of the community for years, providing space for gatherings, baseball, soccer, tennis, and many outdoor activities. It also has a long history as the first open sports park in this area for African-Americans in the 1930s when Virginia was still gripped by segregation.

When the county’s proposed modifications came to light, posing a direct threat to the park’s character and functionality, the Middleburg community banded together to ensure all voices were heard.

Unlike in our national politics, it was done in a thoughtful and constructive way, treating all involved with dignity and respect.

LCPR’s initial Mickie Gordon proposal included extensive changes aimed at converting it to mostly cricket grounds and expanding it from a rural facility to a massive park serving eastern Loudoun.

This included construction of additional and championship cricket fields, new paved parking lots, and a large expansion of lights. It also formalized the removal of baseball, soccer and any open space for community use.

That proposed expansion would disrupt the park’s natural beauty, negatively impact wildlife, and increase traffic and noise in the area. Many also feared the changes would take away from the park’s original purpose as a space for everyone to enjoy, rather than focusing primarily on organized sports.

Upon learning about the proposed changes, the community quickly mobilized with a measured approach, engaging in a respectful dialogue with county officials. 

Local residents and the Town Council worked with LCPR to organize several town hall meetings where residents could express their concerns and discuss potential alternatives. The first was in June, 2023 at the American Legion, with over 300 people attending.

One of the key factors in the success of that engagement was the emphasis on maintaining a constructive and respectful tone. The focus remained on providing thoughtful feedback rather than outright opposition. That helped foster a collaborative atmosphere between the community and LCPR, who then conducted several public feedback meetings to hear our park aspirations.

Thanks to the persistence and considerate engagement of the Middleburg community, LCPR agreed to revise their plans. In early September, the county presented three new concept plans at a public meeting attended by nearly 100 people. 

All three incorporated many of the suggested changes, including preserving more open space, minimizing impacts to the park’s rural character, and restoring baseball permanently. 

More work is needed, and there will be several opportunities to push for additional changes, such as the lighting, as LCPR submits their proposal for review to the county’s Planning Commission and the Board this fall. 

Still, the community’s success in influencing the park’s future is a testament to the power of respectful, constructive dialogue. By coming together with a shared vision and working cooperatively, we were able to move on a path to preserve the integrity of Mickie Gordon Park for future generations.

I want to thank everyone who worked so hard to raise awareness, put up signs, mobilize support, communicate with county officials and, most of all, ensure that we represented our community with integrity. That’s what truly carried the day.