CULPEPER, Va. – September 15, 2026 – The Town of Culpeper has been named the 2026 Virginia Municipal League (VML) Innovation Award winner in the Economic Development category for Heritage Park, recognizing the town’s efforts to transform a downtown property into a vibrant public space that supports community connection, local businesses, events, and economic activity.
VML announced the winners of its annual Innovation Awards on September 11. The statewide competition recognizes excellence in local government, including innovative problem solving, excellence in management, citizen participation, and improved services to residents. VML received a record number of entries for the 2026 competition, making this year’s selection process particularly competitive.
Originally envisioned as a solution to a downtown parking need, Heritage Park evolved into a strategic investment in Culpeper’s continued economic and community vitality. The project transformed an underutilized property into a welcoming public gathering place designed to strengthen connections between residents, visitors, businesses, and community organizations.
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Since opening, Heritage Park has quickly become a hub for community activity, providing a flexible venue for events and programming while drawing people into the downtown district and encouraging greater engagement with surrounding businesses and amenities. That versatility will continue to be on display through upcoming programming, including the 4th of July Activities, Make a Mural Workshop Series, BikeFest, Wreaths Across America, and other community gatherings.
“This award is a tremendous recognition of the collaboration and vision that brought Heritage Park to life,” said Town Manager Chris Hively. “Heritage Park demonstrates what can happen when we make thoughtful, long-term investments in public spaces that serve our residents, strengthen our downtown, and support the businesses and organizations that are so important to Culpeper’s vitality.”
The VML Economic Development category recognizes local government initiatives involving areas such as business development and retention, infrastructure investment, planning, transportation, workforce development, housing, and historic preservation. Heritage Park was selected as the 2026 statewide winner in the category.
The Town of Culpeper is also now eligible for VML’s President’s Award for Innovation, which will be selected from among the seven 2026 category winners and announced during the VML Annual Conference Awards Banquet on October 11 at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott.
The VML award follows additional national recognition for Heritage Park’s approach to placemaking and economic development. Earlier this year, the project received a Silver Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), highlighting the town’s investment in creating a dynamic public space that contributes to the economic and social vitality of the community.
“Heritage Park was never intended to simply improve a piece of property, it was designed to create activity,” said Paige Read, director of Culpeper Tourism and Town Economic Development. “Every event, gathering, or visit brings people into the heart of Culpeper, connects them with our downtown businesses, and gives them another reason to stay longer and explore more. Seeing that vision translate into real use of the space is ultimately the measure of the project’s success.”
The Virginia Municipal League represents local governments throughout the commonwealth and has presented its Innovation Awards annually to highlight creative programs and initiatives that improve Virginia communities.
For more information about the 2026 VML Innovation Awards, visit the Virginia Municipal League website: https://www.vml.org/
About the Town of Culpeper
The Town of Culpeper is committed to fostering a vibrant, welcoming, and economically resilient community through strategic investment, collaboration, and quality public services. Located in the heart of Virginia, Culpeper combines a thriving historic downtown, diverse businesses, community amenities, and a strong sense of place that make it an exceptional community to live, work, visit, and invest.
