Nearly 150 residents gathered at the Middleburg Community Center to discuss the
future of Mickie Gordon Memorial Park. This 99-acre park, historically significant for its
community baseball leagues, including those formed by Black communities during
segregation, faced potential changes due to a county proposal to convert it into a cricket
complex. The proposal sparked strong opposition, with neighbors worried about
increased traffic, lights, and noise disrupting the park’s rural character. The meeting, led
by Loudoun County Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Development Steve
Torpy, aimed to gather community input. Residents expressed a clear vision for a dawnto-dusk park that restores existing fields, including space for cricket matches, and adds
amenities such as bathrooms, a modern pavilion, more trails, new signage, a community
garden, and pickleball courts, while opposing additional field lights and the widening of
Route 50.
Mayor Bridge Littleton and County Chair Phyllis Randall emphasized the importance of
community engagement and the sentimental value of the park. Littleton highlighted the
community’s passion and commitment to shaping the park’s future for the next 50 to 100
years, while Randall acknowledged that the discussions were not just about practical
concerns but also about preserving memories. The meeting was a follow-up to a June 29
session where community members had initially voiced their objections to the cricket
complex plans. Torpy reassured attendees that their feedback was heard and that ongoing
conversations would ensure the project aligns with the community’s vision.