Green Pastures

Green Pastures (Longdale) Recreation Area was built for use by African Americans during the segregation era, although it was officially integrated in 1950. The recreation area within the George Washington National Forest included a small lake with a sandy beach, a bathhouse, picnic shelter, toilet facilities, playing fields, hiking trails, walking paths, and parking areas, all built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. The name of the area was changed to Longdale in 1964. Green Pastures was meant to pair with the six Virginia State Parks sites opened in 1936, including nearby Douthat State Park built by the CCC. Though not legally mandated, these Virginia State Parks sites were effectively whites-only.