FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: April 11th, 2023
Contact: Eric S. Pollitt – Town Manager
Email: epollitt@tappahannock-va.gov
Phone: (804) 443-3336 

The Town of Tappahannock is pleased to announce that the Town is a recipient of a $1.3
million grant award from the Boating Infrastructure (BIG) Grant. These funds will support the
development of a new waterfront park, Hoskins Creek Park, located along Highway 17 in
downtown Tappahannock. Hoskins Creek Park will appease the community’s desire for direct
water access.

The property formerly known as the “Captain Thomas” property was decommissioned in the late
2000s. Following that, the property was acquired by the Town with the intention of providing the
community with a waterfront accessible park. Since the acquisition of the property the Town has
been working with Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, VHB, a nationally prestigious engineering firm out
of Richmond, to assist with the grant application, engineering, and planning of the property.
Chris DeWitt, Principal Planning and Design Service Leader of VHB stated, “The Boating
Infrastructure Grant is a highly competitive program that provides funding for facilities to
support large boats that tour our area’s primary waterways. This award to Tappahannock
recognizes both the potential of the Hoskins Creek site and the related work the Town has done
to promote water-based tourism. Combined with other grant funding the Town has received, the
BIG award will help create a vibrant destination for residents and tourists alike. VHB is
privileged to assist the Town with this fantastic project.” Ricky Wiatt, Planning and Design
Project Manager stated, “The revitalization of this site will support the Town by bringing
vibrancy to a space that’s considered the gateway to Tappahannock Main Street and also to the
greater Northern Neck region.” Doug Mettler, VHB’s Project Manager commented, “Not only
will it provide an enjoyable space for the community, but it also prioritizes sustainability through
numerous eco-friendly features that will promote a healthier environment and provide an
example for future projects.”

The principal use of the Hoskins Creek Park will be for recreational use including direct water
access from the Rappahannock River which is less than one nautical mile away. The Town of
Tappahannock was also awarded funds from the DCR Flood Fund Grant, totaling $69,620 and
awarded funds from the VDOT Recreational Access Grant totaling $250,000. The combined
grant funds will be utilized to construct future features of the site such as a new road entrance,
concrete floating docks, living shoreline, canoe and kayak launch, fuel station, and public
restroom facilities. The final phase of development for the site is a commercial storefront.
Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission Executive Director, Lewis Lawrence, stated,
“Congratulations to the Town of Tappahannock for a successful Boating Infrastructure Grant
award. Providing safe and modern boating access is a critical part of the rural coastal
economy. For decades, the Town of Tappahannock Town Council has worked thoughtfully and
diligently to plan for and implement the highest quality public waterfront access facility
possible. The Hoskins Creek maritime facility will quickly become a maritime tourism focal
point of the Middle Peninsula.” Construction is expected to start no sooner than Spring of 2024.

Town Manager, Eric S. Pollitt, remarked “This is a big deal. A big thank you to VHB, the
Middle Peninsula Planning District, Town staff, and everyone else who worked on this grant
application. This funding is going to help put our community on the map. This is a nationally
competitive grant for large scale projects we successfully secured. We are the only community
in Virginia to receive the Tier 2 award, and one of 16 across the country. This project is going
to be what our community is known for once it is complete. Transient boaters will have direct
access to our other unique amenities in Town with the future trolly system. We are working on
crafting a plan now for the final phase of the property which is waterfront commercial
development. Not only are folks across the region going to come but people along the East
Coast will be traveling to experience what our great community has to offer.”
Mayor Roy Gladding stated, “This grant award is one of the many valuable resources the
community needs to continue the project. We are working to further provide services and
benefits to the entire community. The Town is very appreciative of the grant as these funds will
enable the Town to complete the most valuable part of the Hoskins Creek site.” Councilman
Gillis said, “We are blessed to receive this grant and move forward on the project.” Councilman
Balderson stated, “Great news for the Town and community. We will now be able to move
forward with our plans to provide a community space with water access.” Councilwoman
Carlton commented, “One of the main goals for the Town Council was to provide public water
access to our community. We are really excited to see the awarded funds go towards providing
this access for our community.” Councilwoman Barrett said, “I couldn't be more excited that we
were awarded this Grant. It will go a long way in moving the Hoskins Creek project forward.
The Hoskins Creek Park is going to be a place that the citizens of Tappahannock can and will be
proud of.” Vice Mayor Latane stated, “This is wonderful news! I am so excited about the
direction our Town is going. Great things are coming!” Councilman Dillard stated, “We have a
long history of our river and its tributaries providing economic and recreational activities for
residents and visitors. One of our goals as a council is to revitalize these assets for the benefit of
all.”

If you have any questions, please contact the Town Manager Eric S. Pollitt at (804) 466-4030 or
epollitt@tappahannock-va.gov, Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.