Founders Vision Overlook celebrates Wintergreen's past, present, and future

Photo courtesy of Mark Eichenberger

The founders of Wintergreen envisioned a beautiful new community where people lived, worked, and played that also fostered an understanding and respect for the natural spaces and wildlife of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Some 50 years later, the renovations on Founders Vision Overlook affirmed that this vision remains strongly embraced by the Wintergreen community.

“More than any other single place here, Founders Vision Overlook captures the essence of Wintergreen,” says Wintergreen Property Owners Association Executive Director Jay Roberts. “With awe-inspiring views, complimented by quiet structures and native landscaping, visitors are struck by how extraordinary Wintergreen is.”

WPOA completely renovated the overlook in 2025. “We took care to respect the overlook’s iconic structure and the native plant gardens,” says Roberts.

The 17-acre property overlooking Wintergreen Resort’s mountain village is one of the most popular spots in Wintergreen. It’s rare to see a visitor not taking photos.

WPOA and the Wintergreen Community Foundation shared the cost of this historic project.

“The Wintergreen Community Foundation was created to support projects and programs of lasting value for all property owners and to enhance the livability of our community in a significant way,” says WCF President John Coy. “This renovation project was made possible by a generous donation to our community foundation from a long-time property owner who wanted to have a lasting impact.”

 

About the renovations of Founders Vision Overlook

WPOA built wooden benches of Black Locus for the pavilion to complement the overhead structure.

The original bricks in the walkway to the pavilion were carefully removed then put back into place.

The Nature Foundation volunteers’ native plant gardens were carefully maintained during construction.

The original medallions on the overlook’s pavilion were incorporated into the new structure.

The path connecting the Highlands Leisure Trail with the overlook got new, larger signage.

The 2025 renovation of the Founders Vision Overlook included designing and building new hardscapes, resetting the original walking path, enhancing the view, and expanding the turf areas. Creation Appreciation performed much of this work. WPOA’s crews rebuilt the overhead structure using Black Locust for the wood components, matching the original design and materials.

The 2025 renovation of the Founders Vision Overlook included designing and building new hardscapes, resetting the original walking path, enhancing the view, and expanding the turf areas. Creation Appreciation performed much of this work. WPOA’s crews rebuilt the overhead structure using Black Locust for the wood components, matching the original design and materials.

The 2025 renovation of the Founders Vision Overlook included designing and building new hardscapes, resetting the original walking path, enhancing the view, and expanding the turf areas. Creation Appreciation performed much of this work. WPOA’s crews rebuilt the overhead structure using Black Locust for the wood components, matching the original design and materials.

The 2025 renovation of the Founders Vision Overlook included designing and building new hardscapes, resetting the original walking path, enhancing the view, and expanding the turf areas. Creation Appreciation performed much of this work. WPOA’s crews rebuilt the overhead structure using Black Locust for the wood components, matching the original design and materials.

On June 28, 2025 the community joined WPOA, Wintergreen Resort, Nature Foundation at Wintergreen, and the Wintergreen Community Foundation in a ceremony to celebrate the Founders Vision Overlook renovations, honor Wintergreen’s founders and also celebrate Crawfords Knob.