Best parks in the Richmond area

By 1elcoley

Published: September 10, 2008

We’re rating our best local public parks.  The places that we spend so much of our time playing, relaxing, learning and having a great time.  You won’t see the fantastic Pocahontas State Park or any of the Richmond National Battlefield Park sites on this list, as they aren’t run by area localities.  This is just for the greater Richmond metro area and all the parks are free (though a couple have features that ask for donations).

The list is based on the following criteria:

• Functionality and park amenities (such as trails, gathering spaces, athletic fields, animals, boat landings, etc.)
• Layout and natural surroundings
• History
• Family-friendliness
• Upkeep and safety

One major factor we’re leaving out is popularity.  The perceived popularity of a park is often as much a draw as any of the above factors.  What we’re hoping to do with this list is give a fair shake to all the parks in the area, not just the most popular or the ones closest to the most people.

One more thing to keep in mind.  Residents of the Richmond area have so many parks to choose from, and of course we’re not bound to only visiting parks in our own county or city.  If you live in Henrico or Chesterfield, but love to paddle from the parks in the James River Park System, keep in mind that the City of Richmond helps pay for the upkeep of those parks.  If you live in the city of Richmond and love to bike at Poor Farm Park, Hanover county helps maintain that park. 

So many park managers and county planners we’ve met over the years love the visitors and hope that park-goers understand that the maintenance and upkeep of parks isn’t free. Many of these parks have foundations or friends groups to help maintain them. Parks enhance the value of our area.  Respect the parks by reporting vandalism, cleaning your own trash and leaving the park in the same condition it was before your visit, if not better.  Enjoy the list and we welcome your comments below.

Top 10 parks in the Richmond area

Belle Isle: Yes, this park is one of the most popular in the area, but the nearly unmatchable scenery, the historical significance and the varied outdoor uses are tough to beat. The biking and hiking trails, climbing wall, canoeing, rafting and kayaking opportunities and all the spots to swim are almost as good as the people-watching. Just think where Richmond would be without the pedestrian bridge and with no access to this James River gem. [Richmond]

Maymont: The history of the Dooley Mansion, the fantastic gardens and the beautiful rolling hills and grounds are all superb, but combined with the modern Nature Center and fun at the Children’s Farm, Maymont is on everyone’s list of best parks. It has everything a park could want except the athletic facilities, but at least the park hosts annual cross country races. [Richmond]

Meadow Farm Museum & Crump Park: Henrico County’s most facility-rich park. Meadow Farm Museum itself is a treat, but combining it with the top-knotch athletic fields and Glen Allen Stadium at RF&P Park and the leisure-time fun of Crump Park makes this triple-threat a bumper-crop of family fun. [Henrico]

Byrd Park: This underrated park has so much history and a variety of amenities. Classic features like Dogwood Dell and The Carillon alone are worthy, but the beauty of the park and its three lakes should make Richmonders proud to have a gem like this in our midst. It’s a great place to picnic, jog, bike ride, fish or just relax. [Richmond]

Poor Farm Park: Have you heard of this park? Hanover residents and most of the area’s mountain bikers have. The bike trails are excellent and so is the scenery along the many trails through the woods and along Stagg Creek, but that isn’t all that Poor Farm has to offer. The athletic facilities run the gamut of popular sports, and even include lacrosse. Plus, the park has an amphitheater. [Hanover]

R. Garland Dodd Park at Point of Rocks: This park is tucked way down in the southeastern tip of Chesterfield County and offers a diverse natural area on the tidal Appomattox River and a rich history. Bird-watchers love it, and many Chester and Tri-Cities area residents make good use of the fantastic and unique marsh walk and the athletic fields. [Chesterfield]

James River Park’s Main Section: Not the most well known (or even properly named), this park has most everything that all the other parks in the James River Park System have rolled up into one. Paddlers finish or begin trips here at Reedy Creek. Bikers know that the challenging Buttermilk trails are here. This is the park where you can really feel like you are in the middle of the wilderness, while just blocks away from civilization. Maybe it should be named after park manager Ralph White someday? [Richmond]

Three Lakes Park: At just 90 acres, this park is one of the smallest on the list but makes good use of the space. Three lakes (of course)—two that offer fishing—and nature trails encircle each one.  For families, there are three playgrounds and an excellent Nature Center. [Henrico]

Joseph Bryan Park: Biking, the azalea gardens and two ponds helped make this park popular long ago, but today one could say that biking (once again) soccer and now disc golf are now its biggest draws. It has many open spaces among the plentiful trees and rolling hills and offers plenty of quiet places to walk and get away from city life. [Richmond]

Dorey Park: The features of this rural eastern Henrico park include equestrian rings, fishing, disc golf and lighted soccer and softball fields that compete with the best of the parks on this list, but until the bike trail situation is finally settled, Dorey suffers. [Henrico]

Five more to try

Henricus Historical Park/Dutch Gap Conservation Area: Could have made the list, but these two neighboring Chesterfield parks are separate. Although steeped in history and outdoors opportunities, it wasn’t enough. The new trail bridge at Dutch Gap could change that soon. [Chesterfield]

Deep Run Park: Many west-enders will tell you, as the suburbs continue to grow, at least they have this park to run to for sanctuary. The hilly and heavily-wooded terrain makes the biking and hiking trails more challenging and scenic and the park has a large recreation center, but the athletic facilities are limited to mostly youth soccer. [Henrico]

Rockwood Park: Like Dorey Park, it has plenty of athletic amenities (except the pond isn’t park property). It lacks in historic significance, but the walking trails and nature center are worth a visit. [Chesterfield]

Forest Hill Park: With the pond under repair and an agreement to allow the bike trails to be maintained once again, this attractive historic park has the potential to crack the top 10. [Richmond]

Pole Green Park: Another park that has great athletic facilities, including an equestrian ring. Hanover makes great use of this young park. [Hanover]