PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS, TRAILS

Charlottesville Daily Progress
Published: September 6, 2007

On the Web

Refer to DailyProgress.com for Our Great Outdoors guide for more ideas on getting outside.

Charlottesville

**Parks and Grounds Division of the city of Charlottesville
970-3589; www.charlottesville.org/Index.aspx-page=61

Azalea Park

23 acres of level land. On the north side of the property are trees and natural buffers, which separate the park from neighborhood homes. On the south side is Moore's Creek, which adds to Azalea's unusual charm as it winds its way along the entire length of the park. Recreational facilities include a Little League baseball field, a concession stand, basketball courts, swing sets and playground. Large garden plots are available for rent. For plot info, call 970-3592. **

Bailey Mini-Park

A small, quaint landscaped area located at the corner of U.S. 250 Bypass and Hillcrest Road. A park bench and tall trees offers a shady location for lunch to those within walking distance of the park. There is limited on-street parking in the neighborhood. **

Belmont Park
One of the finest neighborhood parks in the city, Belmont Park is bounded by Stonehenge Avenue, Rialto Street and Druid Avenue. The park contains a full basketball court, benches, swing set and slides, large shady oak trees and a courtyard with shelter for outdoor concerts such as the Annual Belmont Bash. Newest addition to the park is the Spray Ground. Dogs are allowed off-leash but must remain under voice control. Park hours are 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Parking is available on the street. **

Fifeville Park

A neighborhood park of just 0.66 acres located within Grove Street, Spring Street and King Street. The fenced-in park rises above the surrounding streets and contains a basketball court, a shelter and playground. **

Forest Hills Park
Lofty oak trees and a magnificent view of Carter's Mountain highlight the 7.35 acres of rolling land that make up this popular park, which was originally known as Forest Park. Today there are extensively developed activity areas for individuals of all ages. A Little League baseball field and a concession stand lie at the lowest end of the park. The park also contains two full basketball courts and two wading pools with a swing set. **

Greenbrier Park

Consists of 28.3 acres of undeveloped area located in the Greenbrier neighborhood with walking/biking trails along Meadow Creek. There are views of sycamore groves, a meadow and Greenbrier Marsh, believed to be one of only two such natural marshes in the Virginia Piedmont region. **

Greenleaf Park
Fourteen acres of grassy hillsides with hardwood and evergreen trees in a fenced-in area. Greenleaf offers a playground area, a picnic shelter with restrooms and a half-basketball court. There is a wide soft-surface trail that follows the creek near the U.S. 250 Bypass that connects the park to Walker school. Dogs are allowed off-leash but must remain under voice control. Park hours are 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. **

Jackson Park

A large equestrian monument of Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson, by Charles Keck, is the focal point of the park. The monument was presented as a gift to the city in 1921 and is ranked as one of the three best equestrian statues in the world. The park also contains well-maintained flowerbeds and a number of benches. Free wireless access is a recent addition to this downtown park. **

Jordan Park

The neighborhood park consisting of 3.1 acres is located at the south end of Sixth Street S.E. and borders Moore's Creek. The park has a basketball court, playground with tot area for children ages 2-5 years old, grill and picnic tables. **

Lee Park

Contains all of the land bounded by Jefferson Street, First Street N.E., Market Street and Second Street N.E. The 1.04 acres of raised land provides a lunchtime oasis in the downtown area, with many benches, a number of checker/chess tables and colorful flowers and shrubbery. Free wireless access was added in the past year. **

McGuffey Park

This little park of 1.1 acres sits atop a hill next to the McGuffey Art Center at Second Street N.W. and Jefferson Street. Renovations are due to be completed by the end of the fall. **

McIntire Park
Second-largest park in the city, with almost 136 acres is located just off the U.S. 250 Bypass. There is a major community focus on the lighted softball fields, baseball field and the three shelters, which are used extensively from spring to fall. The park also contains a wading pool and a nine-hole, sand and green golf course. In April of every year McIntire Park hosts the carnival for the Dogwood Festival. **

Meade Park
Best known for Onesty swimming pool and also features 5.2 acres. The pool overlooks a stream dotted with weeping willows. The pool opened to the public in 1975 and is named in honor of Louis A. Onesty, known as the "Father of Swimming" in Charlottesville for his selfless dedication to the city's youth swimming. The park also has a playground with tot area for children ages 2-5 years old, basketball court, a Little League field and picnic shelter. **

Northeast Park

This 4.8-acre neighborhood park acquired in 1975 is located at the corner of Sheridan Avenue and Calhoun Street. There is a full basketball court and playground facilities with tot area for children ages 2-5 years old.  A footbridge connects the park to Marshall Street.  Picnic tables are available. **

Pen Park
Borders East Rio Road and is often referred to as the "gem" of the city park system. Pen Park is the largest park in the city and it is from this park that Park Street takes its name. Although it is a relatively young recreational area, the park offers excellent leisure facilities. There are eight tennis courts, a Little League baseball field with batting cage, volleyball court, three outdoor picnic shelters and a playground. **

Quarry Park
9.1 acres, including two Little League baseball fields and a concession stand with restrooms. Off-street parking is also provided. The park has views of the nearby mountains and derives its name from the road that once led to an old stone quarry. **

Ragged Mountain Natural Area
The Ragged Mountain Natural Area is a 980-acre preserve surrounding the Ragged Mountain Reservoir and is owned by the city of Charlottesville. Approximately four miles of trails skirting the lower and upper reservoirs were laid out and constructed by the Ivy Creek Foundation to maximize lake vistas while avoiding sensitive areas and possible erosion. 973-7772; ; http://ivycreekfoundation.org.

Rivanna Trail
20-mile rustic "urban wilderness" hiking trail built and maintained by volunteers that encircles the city of Charlottesville. The trail meanders through forested buffers that protect the city's streams and rivers. It serves as a community-wide resource for play, exercise, relaxation and nature-related recreation. 923-9022; ; http://avenue.org/rivanna.

Riverview Park & Rivanna Greenbelt
26.6 acres bordering the river, with a large paved parking area, kiosk, playground, grill, two benches and an open field, this park is ideal for picnickers and families. The adjacent Rivanna Greenbelt trail provides opportunities for walking, jogging, bicycling, fishing or observing wildlife. **

Rives Park

This 4.3-acre neighborhood park consists of a flat open space with a view of Carter's Mountain in the distance.  It is located on Rives Street between Monticello and Florence Roads. Featured here are a half-basketball court, athletic field, shelter and playground. **

Tonsler Park
One of the busiest parks in Charlottesville is on Cherry Avenue at Fifth Street S.W. Small children, teenagers and families gather to enjoy the recreation center, tennis courts, life-size chess board, lighted basketball courts, Little League field and extensive playground equipment. **

Washington Park
Only 9.25 acres but remains one of the most heavily used parks with a multitude of facilities for individuals of all ages. It has three basketball courts (one lighted), a lighted outdoor pool with a wading area bathhouse, a recreation building with restrooms and a playground area. The sloping land drops suddenly and spectacularly to a level plain far below where a regulation softball field, a basketball court and a multi-use field are located. **

Albemarle County

**Albemarle County Parks and Recreation
296-5844; www.albemarle.org/parks

Beaver Creek Lake

Although swimming is prohibited, water access is granted to various watercraft. Fishing is permitted with the appropriate licensing, so feel free to set your hook for the largemouth bass and sunfish that inhabit the lake. Open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. year round. Take U.S. 250 west to Crozet, cross over Mechums River, turn right on Route 680.

Chris Greene Lake Park
120 land acres. 62 water acres, 2 beach acres. Hours: 7 a.m. to dark, all year (6 a.m. peak fishing times). Park entrance fee charged from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. Seniors (62 and older) and disabled persons who are Albemarle County residents are eligible for a free park pass. Swimming: Daily 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. **

Darden Towe Memorial Park

110 land acres. Hours: 7 a.m. to dark, all year. Three softball fields, four multi- purpose fields used for soccer, lacrosse, and football, four tennis courts and running trails. Playground is wheelchair accessible. Picnic shelter with a seating capacity of 50, electricity and open grills. Access to the Rivanna River. **

Dorrier Park
Two land acres. Hours: 7 a.m. to dark, all year. Softball field, soccer field, two tennis courts and walking path. Playground is wheelchair accessible. Picnic shelter seating capacity of 50, electricity, but no grills. Restrooms are available. **

Hardware Wildlife Management Area

Route 611, Scottsville. Occupies 1,034 acres near the confluence of the Hardware and James rivers. Visitors should take Route 6 to Scottsville, then turn right onto Route 611 to access the western part of the area.

Ivy Creek Natural Area
215-acre preserve jointly owned by Albemarle County and the city of Charlottesville and managed by the Ivy Creek Foundation. With assistance from the Nature Conservancy, the natural area was founded by local residents who valued this former farmland on the Rivanna Reservoir for its natural beauty and diverse wildlife habitat. ; http://ivycreekfoundation.org/ICNA.html

Mint Springs Valley Park
504 land acres, eight water acres, two beach acres in Crozet. Hours: 7 a.m. to dark, all year (6 a.m. peak fishing times). Park entrance fee charged from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. Seniors (62 and older) and disabled persons who are Albemarle County residents are eligible for a free park pass. Swimming: Daily 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. **

Simpson Park

13.6 acres. Hours: 7 a.m. to dark all year. Small water park area with sunning plaza available from May to September. Little League baseball field; multi-purpose field for open use; two tennis courts and a basketball court. Playground; wheelchair-accessible picnic shelter with a seating capacity of 32 and open grills; seasonal restrooms are also available. Take Route 20 south; turn right on Route 712; turn left on Route 715; turn left on Route 627; then right on Simpson Drive (park entrance).

Thomas Jefferson Parkway and Kemper Park
Visitors are invited to stroll the Thomas Jefferson Parkway on Route 53. The trail is open from sunrise to sunset, and is 3.2 miles round-trip on a gentle grade. Limited parking is available at the base of Route 53. From there, maps and signage direct visitors to the trail. 984-9822.

Walnut Creek Park
480 land acres, 45 water acres, 2 beach acres. Hours: 7 a.m. to dark, all year; (6 a.m. peak fishing times). Park entrance fee charged from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. Seniors (62 and older) and disabled persons who are Albemarle County residents are eligible for a free park pass. Swimming: Daily 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. **

Elsewhere

Appalachian Trail

One-fourth of the Appalachian Trail lies in Virginia. Shenandoah National Park has 107 miles of graded Appalachian Trail and many side trails. The proximity of the Skyline Drive - the trail crosses it 32 times - and connecting links offer endless varieties of trips never too far from a potential base of supplies. Views here are extraordinary. (304) 535-6331; www.nps.gov/appa/index.htm.