The Trust for Public Land, a San Francisco based conservation group, recently purchased 170 acres of Virginia farmland and pine forest to sell to the state as an expansion of Kiptopeke State Park. The land was reportedly purchased for $1.4 million dollars and the sale was finalized last week.

The Trust for Public Land will hold the land until Virginia can complete its part of the deal by the end of the year. Virginia will obtain the money through the sale of surplus state property.

In May of this year, Virginia unveiled the results of a nearly $4 million upgrade to the ramps and fishing pier at Kiptopeke. The facilities had been deteriorating over the last several years from both erosion and heavy use. This expansion will be the first since the park opened near Cape Charles in 1992.

This new property will not add any beachfront, but the shoreline is prime habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife.

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