The Pennington Gap Wetlands Project

We have exciting news to share! Appalachian Voices is teaming with the town of Pennington Gap to build a new wetland restoration project at Leeman Field Park.

The town of Pennington Gap, Virginia, has been awarded $561,483.06 through the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Community Flood Preparedness Fund for the "Wetland Restoration and Pond Rehabilitation for Floodwater Mitigation" project at Leeman Field Park. From Spring, 2026, through Spring, 2029, the project will bring community members into the design process and then move into construction. The restored area will cover about 1–2 acres.

The project will improve the park’s existing pond and help protect Leeman Field and the surrounding area from flooding by establishing wetlands that can hold more stormwater than the empty field near the current pond does at this time. It will also create new opportunities for fishing and other outdoor recreation. Restored wetlands can provide habitat for native plants and wildlife and offer new opportunities for environmental education .

These plans grew out of Pennington Gap’s flood hazard mitigation plan, which identified 14 areas in town that need attention. It also reflects what we’ve learned from multiple community listening sessions about the importance of investing in and improving Leeman Field as a community space. 

The town is working with a design team led by Hirschman Water & Environment, LLC, with the contract expected to be finalized soon. Community members will have several chances to help shape the project and take part in on-site workdays. Together, we can restore Leeman Field, improve its natural habitat and make this important community space stronger and more resilient!

This project received funding from the Virginia Community Flood Preparedness Fund Loan Program through the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), via Grant # 3799.