Olde Izaak Walton Park

Olde Izaak Walton Park. . , “When you can preserve aspects of our community like that, it is going to have untold effects on the town for generations to come.” , , Town Council Member Frank Buttery, 2000, The 21-acre Olde Izaak Walton Park is named to honor the Loudoun County Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America (IWLA). Since its inception in 1929, IWLA has concentrated on conservation, education, habitat protection and improving Virginia's environment. With this goal in mind, IWLA purchased this land in 1953 as a way of preserving open space and the natural surroundings. Members of the organization erected the current main building, created the pond, and developed rodeo grounds that attracted some of the best rodeo talent in the area, frequently attended by radio personality and Leesburg local Arthur Godfrey. As the population of Leesburg continued to grow, IWLA moved their headquarters towards the end of 1962 to a larger area in Hamilton. , In 2000, the Town of Leesburg leased the property to expand their park system and provide additional passive and recreational facilities for the residents of Leesburg. In appreciation for their conservation efforts, and for the development and stewardship of this property, the Leesburg Town Council named the park after the organization that originally preserved this land. On April 25, 2000, the park was officially named Olde Izaak Walton Park. "Olde" reflected the old English spelling used during the life of the 17th Century English angler-conservationist Izaak Walton who wrote the literary classic The Compleat Angler, and for whom the Izaak Walton League of America was named. In November 2017, The Town of Leesburg became the official owner of the park, thanks to a deed of gift from a local developer.