Thanks to the 2002 State Parks and Natural Area Bond, we have had a number of new and significantly remodeled visitor centers opening. The latest to open is one at Smith Mountain Lake State Park.
While we had the bond money to build the visitor centers, the projects did not include enough money for exhibits which are very expensive. Of the ten visitor center projects, only Shenandoah River State Park has full funding for their exhibits thanks to a specific appropriation. With the budget situation, funding for the exhibits is unlikely.
The Virginia Association for Parks is helping trying to raise funds for the exhibits. Smith Mountain Lake is number 7 in the list.