Karen C. Hanna, Principal Investigator and R. Brian Culpepper, GIS Specialist

The purpose of a historic park's master plan is to guide its development and operations for a period of time, usually five to fifteen years. After that length of time, many conditions will have changed which will require modification or wholesale changes in the plan. Societal conditions change; such as the demand for historic parks, the funding situation, or the site and its environs. The general development plan described here is based on the conditions that existed in the years 1995 through 1997.

This report is called a "master plan," while the map and descriptions of specific proposed improvements are called the "general development plan." The plan elements derive from goals and objectives established early in the design process. A program of uses has been developed which facilitates these goals and objectives. The design process also includes an evaluation of the site’s natural and cultural conditions. Assignment of particular uses to their most appropriate site location is called the "area relationship study", and it precedes the preliminary site plan. Following reviews, cost estimates and public meetings, the general development plan takes shape. The step-by-step procedure is documented in the appendix.

This master plan calls for:

• Parcel acquisitions
• Establishment of conservation easements to protect important views
• Partial penetration of the battlefield with an entry drive and a tour drive
• Five interpretive trail loops, each with a trail head parking area, benches and other amenities
• A Visitor’s Information Center
• An overlook facility on Pumpkin Ridge
• Hiking and bicycle trials

This master plan has been in preparation for several years, and during that time there have been several personnel changes. The headings below attempt to describe the participants at each phase of the work.

As this goes to print, in the fall of 1997, the following persons are involved at the federal level.

In earlier phases the following persons were involved at the American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP) of the National Park Service. Some participated periodically throughout the work.

The following participants have been active throughout the project.

Those who gave major assistance to the preservation project include the following.