BirthdaysThere are so many great parks in the Richmond area – here are the Completely Kids top picks. Email us your favorite park or place to enjoy outdoor activities with your little one!
Please remember the use of these park facilities is at your own risk.
Crump Park and Meadow Farm
3400 Mountain Road, Richmond, VA
One of the most fun parks around – kids love it! Picnic areas, animals, historic buildings, hiking trails, wetlands, and even a fishing pond. They have lots of historical events and activities throughout the year. And the playground equipment is great – see the pics on our playgrounds page!
James River Park
22nd & Riverside Drive, Richmond, VA 23225 Phone: 804.646.8911
The James River Park System is the largest park in Richmond, encompassing 500+ acres along the banks of the James River. This park offers opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, jogging, swimming, hiking, rock-climbing, fishing, boating, sunning, and bird watching. Two of the most popular areas within the park system are Belle Isle and Pony Pasture. To really enjoy your visit, avoid peak weekend afternoons.
- Belle Isle is found downtown (near the financial district) in the middle of the James River. The island is the site of a notorious Civil War prison and the remains of a historic iron foundry are still visible. Belle Isle can be accessed from the northside of the River by a pedestrian bridge suspended directly under the Lee Bridge. Free parking is available in the Belle Isle parking lot just past the Tredegar Iron Works or along 5th Street, a porta potty is located on the island. Older kids enjoy riding their bikes across the bridge and around the island trail (approx one mile), wading in the shallows of the river, sunbathing, and climbing on the rocks when water levels are low.
- Pony Pasture is located on the south bank of the James a mile or so east from the Huguenot Bridge on Riverside Drive. There is ample parking and restrooms. Pony Pasture offers walking and bike trails, bird watching, rock climbing, and fishing.
Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens
1800 Lakeside Avenue, Richmond, VA 23228 Phone: 804.262.9887
Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens is a by far the most beautiful garden in all of Richmond. There are so many different varieties and styles of gardens to enjoy including; Asian, Rose, Healing, Perennial, and Water Gardens. There is also a beautiful Conservatory that houses plants from around the globe. The garden is almost entirely stroller and wheelchair accessible. Check Lewis Ginter’s website or call for details on hours and fees.
One of the newest gardens at Lewis Ginter is a Children’s Garden complete with a 13 foot high tree house, giant sandbox, and miniature playhouses designed after villages around the world. Kids also enjoy climbing the 100 year old mulberry tree and splashing around in the water play area in the summertime.
Older kids enjoy Kids Quest, the self directed garden treasure hunt. The theme and treasures change every month or so. Maps are located in the visitor center and each item is noted with a special Kid’s Quest sign to identify it. Upon completion children receive a special reward. And don’t miss the GardenFest of Lights event that is held each year between Thanksgiving and the new year.
Visit the website for additional information on membership and special events for families.
Parking: Free Parking is available around the Visitor’s Center.
Restrooms: Are located in the Visitor’s Center, and behind the Children’s Garden.
Lombardy Park
1500 Hanover Avenue, Richmond, VA 23220 at Hanover and Park Avenues.
It is a great place for toddlers and preschoolers who enjoy the sandbox and fun playground equipment. There’s a rock wall and bridge. It’s a smaller type neighborhood park but lots of fun.
Parking: Only on-street parking available for one hour blocks of time. Watch out for the meter maid!
Maymont
1700 Hampton Street, Richmond, VA 23220 Phone: 804.358.7166
Maymont is a 100 acre park located in the heart of the city and includes a Nature Center, Japanese and Italian Gardens, the Maymont house, and a Children’s Farm. Check Maymont’s website or call for details on hours and fees. If you visit the park with little ones, be sure to bring a stroller, this park is enormous and has lots of hills.
- The Nature Center interprets the natural environment of the James River. A 20-foot waterfall cascades into one of 13 giant, linked aquariums that are home to playful river otters, turtles and indigenous species of fish.
- The Italian Garden features exquisite stonework, statuary, gazebos, and fountains, as well as beautiful trees and flowers. It is a popular location for weddings.
- The Japanese Garden landscape contrasts strongly with the formality of the Italian Garden. A Japanese Garden Guide and Map (available for purchase at the Visitor Center) provides interpretive information, including Japanese history and symbolism.
- The Maymont House Museum is a Victorian-age, 33-room home, once owned by the Dooley family. It is a well-preserved example of Gilded Age design with twelve restored rooms on the first and second floors available for viewing during guided tour hours.
- The Children’s Farm and Barn is a kiddie favorite. It is located at the Spottswood Road Entrance. At the Children’s Farm youngsters can visit all kinds of animals; pot-bellied pigs, rabbits, peacocks, chickens, goats, horses, foxes, and bears, just to name a few. For more details about the Children’s Farm, visit our Animals link under Outings.
Directions and Entrances: There are three entrances to Maymont, so make sure to get directions.
Parking: Free Parking is located at each entrance.
Restrooms are located in the Nature & Visitor Center, near the Bear Exhibit, at the Maymont House, and at the Children’s Farm.
Pocahontas State Park
10301 State Park Road, Chesterfield, VA 28382.
Just 20 miles from downtown Richmond, this park is an oasis for families! There is boating, picnicking, camping, hiking, a kiddie pool, leisure and activity pools, rowboats, paddleboats, kayak and canoe rentals and more. You can even fish at this park! There are more than 80 miles of trails open for hiking, bicycling and horeseback riding. Kids can run and play for hours. Plenty of picnic areas and bathrooms.
Powhatan State Park
4616 Powhatan State Park Road, Powhatan, Virginia 23139
Opened July 2013! The 1,564 acre Powhatan State Park has 2.5 miles of frontage along the southern bank of the James River. The land, originally part of the Beaumont Correctional Center, was transferred from the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation for use as a state park in 2003. The park is located at 4616 Powhatan State Park Road, Powhatan, Virginia 23139. For more information on all of Virginia?s award-winning Virginia State Parks go to the website, or call toll-free 1-800-933-PARK (7275).
Rockwood Park
3401 Courthouse Road, Richmond, VA 23236. Phone: 804.748.1623.
This is a fun park for all ages. It’s Chesterfield County’s oldest and most popular park, this site features a complex of ball fields and tennis courts, a nature center, an archery range, Ruff House Dog Park, garden plots and a system of 5 nature trails. There are 7 baseball fields, 3 outdoor basketball courts, 9 tennis courts, a 5.5 mile walking trail suitable for all ages (some inclines and hills), a nature center, dog park and fun playground.
Short Pump Park
3401 Pump Road, Richmond, VA.
This park is right behind Short Pump Elementary School and you enter to see the baseball field. There’s also a football field. The park is behind the fields as you pass through the picnic area. There are fun slides, and great structures for small children. There’s even a small play house and some baby swings. Kids will enjoy the rock wall too. This is a great park for toddlers.
Bathrooms: Nice and clean (look for sign that says “Home of the Kanawha Redskins”!)
Springfield Park
4600 Springfield Road, Richmond VA
Springfield Park has fun playgrounds with structures that are safely enclosed with metal rails. Kids love running through the maze of the structure and you don’t have to worry about them falling off! There are cool tubes for sliding down too. You can enjoy a picnic and they even have special little toys for babies.
Canal Walk
The Canal Walk is a 1.25 mile walk along James River’s north bank and Kanawha Canal from Tredegar Iron Works on 5th Street to 17th Street. Pedestrian entrances are available at Tredegar Iron Works, 7th, 12th, 14th, 15th and 17th and Virginia streets. Moms beware – the entire 1.25 miles of the Canal Walk is not stroller friendly! Boat tours are available from the Turning Basin at 14th and Dock Streets. They offer a 35 min historical narrated tour of James River and Kanawha Canal. Call Richmond Canal Cruises at 804.649-2800 for more information.
LOCAL PARK SYSTEM WEBSITES
Chesterfield County Parks – General Information: 804.748.1623
City of Richmond Parks – General Information: 804.646.5733
Goochland County Parks – General Information: 804.556.5854
Hanover County Parks – General Information: 804.365.4595
Henrico County Parks – General Information: 804.501.7275
Powhatan Parks and Recreation – General Information: 804.598.1304
Virginia Division of State Parks – General Information: 800.933.PARK
