RVA Parks & Rec: A Guide to Local Parks, Both Dog & Human
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News flash: We’re not the only ones going stir crazy spending so much time at home right now. Our pups are craving some fresh air and adventure, too!
We rounded up need-to-know info about Richmond’s parks — both dog parks and human parks — so you can get outside on your own or with your four-legged friend(s) ASAP.
by Alicia Valenski
Hours are sunrise to sunset unless otherwise noted.
Dog Parks
Image Credit: @robertrva
Barker Field Dog Park
Located at Byrd Park behind the Carillon and Dogwood Dell outdoor theater, this is actually Richmond’s oldest dog park. It’s a fenced, multi-acre, relatively wooded area with shelters and seating as well as water for the pups.
Address: 1300 Blanton Ave (South end of the Dogwood Dell parking lot)
Image Source: @bronxli_the_malamute
Church Hill Dog Park (also known as “Bark Park”)
Located on the eastern lower terrace of Chimborazo Park, this dog park in the Church Hill neighborhood is separated into two areas: one for large dogs and one for small dogs. Both sid
Address: 3799 Government Rd (Lower section of Chimborazo Park)
Image Source: @scottscharinger
Northside Dog Park
This fenced dog park is typically a bit quieter and less populated than the other dog parks in the city, with benches available for pup parents and trash cans to dispose of pet waste.
Address: 500 Forest Lawn Dr (Behind Henderson Middle School)
Human Parks
Image Credit: @neondreamerjen
Battery Park
From the Richmond Parks & Recreation website:
Located at Hawthorne Avenue and Overbrook Road, Battery Park is known for its tennis courts where Arthur Ashe learned to play. In addition to the tennis courts with push-button lighting for any time play, the park includes basketball courts, two children's playgrounds, restrooms, horseshoe pits, and a community center that houses a free computer lab, and a swimming pool.
The park earned its name because it was the site where gun batteries were located during the Civil War.
Address: 2803 Dupont Circle (Northside)
Image Source: @selljanque
Bryan Park
From the Richmond Parks & Recreation website:
Bryan Park, located on the city's Northside, is another of Richmond's historic parks. The entrance to the park is located near the I-95 interchange.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the park was the site of a planned slavery insurrection known as Gabriel's Rebellion.
Address: 4308 Hermitage Rd (Lakeside)
Image Source: @creativedogmedia
Byrd Park
From the Richmond Parks & Recreation website:
This 287-acre park in Richmond's Near West End is one of the city's most popular. Spread along both sides of The Boulevard and Blanton Avenue starting at the Columbus Statue you will find Fountain Lake, a self-lighted tennis complex for any time play, and two softball fields. Sunbathing and pedal boat rides at Fountain Lake are popular in the summer, and a full-service concession building at the lakes offers snacks, lunch, restrooms, and free Wi-Fi during the summer season.
Further south to the east of Blanton Avenue are Swan Lake, Sheilds Lake, the Round House, which can be used for small meetings, and the Vitacourse, an exercise trail popular year-round. At Swan Lake, as the name implies, you can see plenty of waterfowl, but please don't feed the geese as this encourages unhealthy overpopulation. Urban fishing at any of the lakes is allowed with a state fishing license, and there are two large picnic shelters with outdoor grills on the east side of Sheilds Lake, the southernmost of the park's three lakes. This section of the park, from Fountain Lake to Shields Lake is also filled with sidewalks that crisscross the park and make enjoyable walking, and several open areas are frequently used for Frisbee and other games.
At the southern end of Blanton Avenue are various historic statues and memorial monuments, the Dogwood Dell Amphitheater and Ha'Penny Stage, additional picnic shelters, a children's playground, and the popular Barker Field Dog Park.
Address: 600 South Blvd (Near West End)
Image Source: @ana.dilo
Chimborazo Park
From the Richmond Parks & Recreation website:
This expansive 30-acre park offers a 180' view of the city. It is also home to the National Battlefield Park headquarters and one of Richmond's most unique statues, a miniature of the Statue of Liberty.
The park house on the eastern edge of the park can be rented for small meetings or events, and the popular Church Hill Dog Park is located on the eastern lower terrace of the park. The Dog Park includes two areas: one for large dogs and one for small dogs.
The Chimborazo Playground, located just one block from the park, was renovated in 2009. It also includes a community garden.
Address: 2900 E Grace St (Church Hill)
Image Source: @probablymaybe
Forest Hill Park
From the Richmond Parks & Recreation website:
This park, which was in succession once a quarry, an estate and then an amusement park, is listed in Virginia's Historic Register, and a booklet on the park's history can be purchased from the Friends of Forest Hill Park, a group that also offers volunteer activities in the park.
The park consists of the historic Stone House (once the park manager's home that can now be rented for small meetings or events), a lake (which has been restored in recent years), tennis courts, picnic shelters, a children's playground, and many paths and trails are popular for walking and jogging.
A partial wetland, much wildlife can be viewed in the park, and there are also sloping hills for passive recreation. It is well known as a popular sledding site anytime it snows in Richmond.
Address: 4021 Forest Hill Ave (Forest Hill)
Image Credit: @evil_monstar_
Gillies Creek Park
From the Richmond Parks & Recreation website:
Located at Stony Run Drive and Williamsburg Road in Richmond's East End, this 40-acre park is home to the city's only BMX race track, which serves as the home track for Richmond BMX, an affiliate of the National Bicycle League.
A park that draws diverse activities, it is also a favorite of disc golf fans (in addition to Bryan Park) for its 18 hole disc golf course. In addition, the park's horseshoe pits are the site of regular activity and many tournaments.
The Gillies Creek Park Foundation is working with the City of Richmond on future plans to develop the park to connect a series of new and existing parks in an unprecedented urban greenway that will link Richmond neighborhoods to the nearby riverfront, Tobacco Row, the Capital Trail, and the restored canal.
Address: 4425 Williamsburg Ave (East End)
Image Credit: @rva.photography
James River Park System
From the Richmond Parks & Recreation website:
Richmond's largest, most unique and best-known park is actually a system of parks along both sides of the James River as it passes through the city, making Richmond the only urban city in the country with Class IV white water rapids in the middle of downtown.
The 550-acre park itself is an area of unspoiled natural beauty and adventure recreation unlike that found in any other city in the country. It is internationally known as the site of the XTERRA triathlon and has been recognized as the Southeast's Best Urban Park and named Best in Dirt for its running trails.
Recognizing its great value, in 2009 the city placed a conservation easement on the park, legally protecting it from development. With its headquarters at Reedy Creek at Riverside Drive at Hillside, the park stretches from Ancarrow's Landing on the East to Huguenot Flatwater on the West.
The park's wilderness shoreline amid woods, islands, meadows and rocks offers opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, tubing, walking, jogging, hiking, rock-climbing, biking, fishing, boating, swimming, sunning, bird -watching, and nature study, with many of these activities just blocks from the City's downtown residential, business and financial district. The park trails are excellent for hiking and mountain biking and offer new enjoyment in each season.
For more information on the locations within the James River Park System, visit the Friends of the James River Park website here.
Address: 4301 Riverside Dr (Forest Hill)
Image Source: @zachydphoto
Jefferson Park
From the Richmond Times-Dispatch:
Jefferson Park is located in the Union Hill neighborhood, located just north of Church Hill. The park offers the best view of the downtown Richmond skyline north of the James River.
The park is mostly open space, trees and grass — but it also offers a bandstand with comfort facility, tot lot, and exercise trail.
Address: Corner of N 21st St & E Marshall St
Image Source: @sara.e.collins
Libby Hill Park
From the Richmond Parks & Recreation website:
Located at 28th and E. Franklin Streets, Libby Hill Park is one of the three original parks in Richmond's park system. It was originally called Marshall Square, and the view from Libby Hill Park is said to so closely resemble the view of Richmond on the Thames in England that it gave the city its name.
In addition to its magnificent view, the park has an ornamental fountain, a small park house, and a monument erected in 1894 for Confederate soldiers and sailors.
Address: 2801 E Franklin St (Church Hill)
Image Credit: @jj975
Monroe Park
From the Richmond Parks & Recreation website:
Established in 1851, Monroe Park is Richmond's oldest park. It is adjacent to the Monroe Park Campus of Virginia Commonwealth University, offers free Wi-Fi, and is heavily used by the university's students.
Address: 620 W Main St (VCU)
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