The following was found in the Board minutes from February of 1994:
…a good place for families!
Claudius Crozet Park is a community non-profit recreational facility open to all.Our goal is to provide a clean, safe place for our children to play, a place where families will want to spend leisure time together, and where young and old alike can enjoy the beauty with which this area has been blessed.
In November of 1957, a group of Crozet residents met to discuss concerns they shared for the youth of their community.The adults recognized the need for a recreation center for community activities.In June 1958, Claudius Crozet Park was incorporated as a non-stock corporation under the incorporation laws of Virginia.By October of 1958, the deed to 22 acres of land was signed, a 2 acre pond was put in and stocked, land was cleared for a ball field, and a picnic shelter was built.All of this was done by volunteer labor and donations by local businesses and civic organizations.In 1959 a junior Olympic size swimming pool was built.
Over the next twenty years the park was enjoyed by thousands of Albemarle County residents, but the years took their toll.In 1979, it was necessary to replace all existing pipes at the swimming pool.To do this, the Board of Directors had to borrow $53,000 through a local bank with no clear-cut means for repayment.In May of 1981, the Park hosted the first Crozet Arts and Crafts Festival with hopes to begin regular payments toward that debt.The Arts and Crafts Festivals, which are held annually both the second weekend in May and October, succeeded far beyond our greatest imaginings and is now reputed as one of the finest art shows on the east coast.In 1988, with proceeds from the Arts and Crafts Festival the Park was able to pay off that huge debt which had burdened the Park for so many years.In our determination to pay off the debt many needs at the park were left unmet.The debt left in its wake a multitude of things that need to be repaired, replaced, or refurbished.
In 1986, the Board entered into a restrictive covenant with Albemarle County through the Parks and Recreation Department, which insured that the facility would always be used for recreational purposes.The County has made some improvements to the Park, mows the grass, collects the trash, and uses the Park to host their summer recreation program here.But, they will not contribute in any way to the pool or swim program.In 1990, we entered into an alliance with the Peachtree Baseball League for their use of the Park in exchange for major improvements and additions to the baseball facilities.The Crozet Gators Swim Team this last summer had 94 members, boys and girls ages 5 through 18.The park building is rented frequently for a nominal fee to families, businesses, and civic organizations for parties, wedding receptions, and dances.The park grounds are used regularly throughout the warm weather months for company picnics, church socials, and family gatherings at no charge.Two other major events that occur at the park each year are the Crozet Volunteer Firemen’s Carnival the week of the 4th of July, and the Charlottesville-Albemarle Mental Health Association’s Country Music Festival in September.The two civic organizations are charged only enough to cover the Park’s expenses for these events.
Exciting things are happening at Claudius Crozet Park.The Grounds are looking better than they have looked in many years.New programs and new people are coming to the park, but there remain many areas in need of revitalization and this is where we need your help.The pool is now facing its 37th season and is in serious need of replacement.Crozet Park’s pool is the only swimming pool open to the general public in Albemarle County.The Pool Committee is actively investigating all the angles of building a new pool and replacement costs appear to be in the $500,000 to $600,000 range by the time the bath house, fences, and landscaping are complete.The park building in need of modernizing and a remodeling to better serve our community.
Your grant would provide resources to make some of the following improvements and purchases for the park:
New 50 meter, 8 lane pool
Interior and exterior upgrading of park building
New light fixtures for the park building
Flooring for the building
Tables for the building
Chairs for the building
Pool furniture
Refurbished tennis courts
Additional playground equipment
We are excited about the possibilities for the future of Claudius Crozet Park.Our community is growing rapidly and we want to be ready to meet its needs.We want 1995 to be the best year Crozet Park has ever experienced.Please give our requests your serious consideration.We anxiously await hearing from you.
Authorized by:
C.T. Pace President of the Board of Directors
Crozet Park Pool is owned and operated by Claudius Crozet Park, Inc., a non-profit organization. Our operating budget (for lifeguards, pool chemicals, maintenance, etc.) is solely dependent upon the revenue earned from admission fees and concessions sales. Donations are always welcomed!