Staunton Volunteers Rally to Save Hidden Mountain Park

When Charles Catlett donated Betsy Bell Mountain to Staunton, Virginia in 1941, he had one request: keep the crest beautiful forever.

Eight decades later, volunteers are stepping up to honor that promise. A group of locals is organizing a cleanup day on November 7 for Betsy Bell Wilderness Park, where broken glass and graffiti now mar what should be pristine wilderness.

The park sits at 1,959 feet, higher than nearby Afton Mountain on Interstate 64. But getting there requires four-wheel drive and determination. The steep, winding gravel road keeps many people away, which may explain why some visitors feel free to trash it.

Chris Tuttle, director of the city's parks and recreation department, says his team empties trash cans three times weekly. Still, they can't keep up alone. "Any volunteer labor we can get is much appreciated," he said.

The volunteer organizer, who asked to remain anonymous to avoid social media backlash, wants to do more than just pick up litter. "Our goal is to clean up the trash, repaint overlooks and fix any that need to be fixed and to potentially have the road fixed," she explained.

The group needs supplies: large leaf bags, eco-friendly cleaner, paper towels, garbage grabbers, gloves, and shovels. They're asking anyone who can help to show up ready to work.

The Ripple Effect

This cleanup could spark something bigger than one day of service. The organizers hope raising awareness about the park's condition will inspire visitors to treat it with respect year-round.

Catlett's original gift came with a unique requirement: City Council members must visit the crest each spring to honor his generosity. Tuttle has made more than 30 trips to the top with council members during his career, watching over a place few locals even know exists.

Now regular citizens are joining that tradition of stewardship, proving that protecting nature doesn't require an official title, just a willingness to care.