People You Should Know: Kevin Bowman

Kevin Bowman: Park Manager, Sweet Run State Park

Sweet Run State Park in Loudoun County is the newest park in the State system – number 42 — having opened on May 26, 2023. It features expansive views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and an access trail to the National Park Service’s Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Sweet Run and Piney Run streams bisect the property. The property includes eleven miles of hiking and 9 miles of equestrian trails along streams, through mature forest, meadows, and mountain-side terrain, and has a picnic pavilion and nature play area for children.

The property is steeped in history, featuring the ruins of a 19th century farming community. It also has a restored farmhouse built in the 1840s.

Kevin Bowman is the Park Manager. Prior to coming to Sweet Run, Kevin was at Sky Meadow State Park for eight years, starting as Chief Ranger, Visitor Experience. He was Park Manager when he left to come to Sweet Run.

While at Sky Meadow, Kevin was directly involved in establishing an innovative Sensory Explorers’ Trail which won the Bronze Medal at the 2021 Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award for the category of implementation of the Virginia Outdoors Plan.

The Sensory Explorers’ Trail provides visitors a way to engage their senses in the exploration of the natural world. An important part of the trail is an easily navigable tactile pathway and an audio tour that make this trail accessible for the blind and visually impaired. Print books make the audio available to the hearing impaired.

The 0.3-mile loop trail provides an excellent opportunity to experience the serenity and beauty of nature for adults and children who otherwise might not be able to enjoy nature in such a tangible way.

The Shenandoah Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalists was a major force in the creation and funding for the trail.

According to Kevin a similar trail is something that will be considered in putting together the master plan for Sweet Run.

Kevin, his wife and three young children live in Charles Town, West Virginia. He has been with Virginia State parks for almost 10 years. Before joining the Virginia Park system, Kevin was with the U.S. National Park Service at both the Eisenhower National Historic Site and the Gettysburg National Military Park. Kevin has a bachelor’s degree in history from Gettysburg College with a minor in Civil War history and a master’s in applied history from Shippensburg University in Shippensburg Pa.

Sweet Run State Park is in the earliest stages of developing a comprehensive development plan. The State Department of Conservation and Recreation is currently in conversation with a consulting firm regarding potential management of the Master Planning process. However, it is still possible that the Department will decide to develop the plan in-house with its own Planning Department.

Kevin anticipates that the actual planning process will begin in 2024, possibly within the next couple of months. Generally, it takes about 18 months from the time the process begins until the document is completed. Comprehensive plans for state parks are reviewed by the General Assembly and revised/updated every 10 years.

Currently there are seven Park Rangers at Sweet Run including Kevin, four full time and three part time. In addition, there are approximately 75 volunteers. The volunteers do everything from guided tours, host interpretive events, maintain trails and help with administrative tasks. To volunteer contact sweetrunvolunteer@dcr.virginia.gov

The Mid-Atlantic Resiliency Link (MARL) may have an impact upon Sweet Run. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation is currently monitoring the situation and will decide what action to take – if any – as more information and details about the proposed route for the MARL become available.