LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

Explore Park zoning on table

Roanoke County planners will examine changes to specific uses for the facility.

· Full story
· Audio: Listen to interview with developer Larry Vander Maten
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Talk:
What's your advice for development of the Roanoke County living history museum?

· Share your thoughts on the new roanoke.com message board

Resources:
· Layout map of the park
· Timeline of the many faces of Explore park
· Web site of Virginia's Explore Park

Proposed contract:
Ground lease between Virginia Living Histories, Inc., and Virginia Recreational Facilities Authoritys.
· Read the contract

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By the way

New lease on life
The unanimously approved lease was called the most one-sided contract he'd ever seen and the best chance he'd seen for Explore to survive - by the same person.

Vision for park all in his head
What does Larry Vander Maten see in Explore Park's future? Who knows. Listen to interview with Vander Maten

Lots of questions, few answers in community meeting
Opinions ranged from enthusiastic support to cautious hopefulness to resolute opposition.

Board to vote on Explore Park's future tonight
One member of the Virginia Recreational Facilities Authority didn't even know the vote was scheduled.

Vote due Thursday on Explore Park plan
Board will decide whether to turn the park over to a Missouri nonprofit company for 50 years.

Botetourt developer linked St. Louis entrepreneur to Explore Park
Larry Vander Maten wants to transfer his success in the nursing home industry to a history-themed venture.

Explore's proposed lease hits murky areas
Because Explore Park is not a state park, the board isn't bound by a 30-year limit on leases.

Maybe state should take over park, officials say
A less likely option might be for the National Park Service to take it over.

Timeline of the many faces of the park

'Idealized vision' led to VRFA's founding
When Explore Park was just a gleam in a Roanoke leader's eye 20 years ago, some of the Roanoke Valley's top businessmen united.

Questions, what-ifs on Explore Park abound
The state doesn't have much comment on a proposal to lease the park to a Missouri nonprofit company.

Contract explores park plans
"It appears there is a consensus to move forward on the proposal," said a letter.

Speculation about Explore Park accelerates
Community to discuss proposed 50-year lease to a Missouri nonprofit company.

Explore Park deal closer
Officials are upbeat about leasing park to St. Louis company that teaches people about Old West; citizens can comment March 23.

New path for Explore? Chart it carefully, openly
Public discussion should guide outside control and focus on preserving the park's mission.

Board explores the future
Virginia Living Histories may take over the park's management and development.

Explore Park officials are counting the days (118) until July 1
An infusion of $200,000 from the state will give the park much-needed financial aid.

Preserve Explore Park
Though not having met early expectations, the park deserves some state financial support.

Explore Park fights to shed shadow of its planned self
Roanoke County has become Explore's biggest benefactor, but their agreement ends in 2006.